Dear editor,
The recent coronial findings into the tragic and preventable death of Kathleen Salter at Clare are deeply distressing and I offer my sincere sympathies to her family.
Mrs Salter’s passing, after what should have been routine gall bladder surgery, underscores a glaring gap in our regional health system-access to critical diagnostic tools.
Deputy State Coroner Naomi Kereru’s recommendation that CT cholangiograms be made available at all regional hospitals where elective gall bladder surgeries occur is both sensible and urgent.
This is not simply about technology-it is about equity. People living in regional communities deserve access to the same standard of healthcare as those in metropolitan areas.
Too often, regional hospitals operate without the tools that could save lives and prevent avoidable harm.
In 2025, this disparity is unacceptable and the coronial findings are a wake-up call for the state government.
I urge the Health Minister to act swiftly on the coroner’s recommendation and equip our regional hospitals with the diagnostic technology they need, starting with CT cholangiograms to ensure that no more families endure such a devastating loss.
Shadow Regional Health Minister Penny Pratt
Here to support farmers
Dear editor,
I know it has been a difficult period for so many of Australia’s proud dairy farmers.
Australia’s weather extremes – flooding rain to the north and bone-dry conditions in the south – have made it an incredibly hard time to be on the land.
We’ve heard from Dairy Australia that almost 44 per cent of Australian dairy farms are currently affected by drought or significantly dry conditions, accounting for just over 44 per cent of Australia’s total milk production.
That’s why I’ve made meetings with farmers impacted by these conditions a priority, and why we’ve prioritised important support for the people Australia relies on.
Most recently I was in South Australia with the Prime Minister to hear directly from farmers facing drought in that state.
Sadly, we know drought is a case of when, not if, and Australia’s changing climate is likely to mean more frequent, longer lasting, and intense droughts in many regions.
Our $1 billion rural support and drought resilience programs have helped farmers to prepare, adapt and respond to drought and other hardships.
These programs for drought and hardship are always available – to ensure farmers can access the support they need for their individual farm business needs.
Programs like the Rural Financial Counselling Service and Farm Household Allowance can be the first port of call for dairy farmers who are impacted by drought and flood.
Rural Financial Counsellors live in regional areas, so they know what their clients are dealing with.
I know how important this service is to farmers which is why our government has announced further investments in it, most recently by the Prime Minister in South Australia.
This financial year, 415 dairy farmers have already been assisted by the Rural Financial Counselling Service across the country.
Farmers can access concessional loans through the Regional Investment Corporation, or if relevant their Farm Management Deposits.
There is also support available for farmers impacted by floods in the Hunter and Northern Rivers regions, under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
We’re not just here for when times are tough.
It’s important we play our part in government to make sure Australia’s dairy farmers can get on with the job of farming.
That’s why we are undertaking a review of the Dairy Code of Conduct to identify whether updates are needed, and ensure the code is operating as intended and remains fit-for-purpose.
We will also keep investing in the future of agriculture and regional communities.
Looking forward, we’ve committed $3.5 million to develop a National Food Security Strategy: Feeding Australia.
Our dairy industry will be an important part of the development of this strategy, because we know the industry is a key part of Australia’s food future.
I know it has been a tough period for so many dairy farmers, but our government will keep backing this proud industry to succeed – now and into the future, in good times and through the challenges.
Julie Collins, Federal Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister
