MP in GP petition row

By Dion Teasdale
McEWEN MP Fran Bailey has come under fire from community and church groups over the handling of a petition calling for an after-hours GP service in the Upper Yarra.
Representatives from the Upper Yarra Community Voice, the Millgrove Residents Action Group (MRAG), the River Valley Church and the Millgrove Baptist Church have accused Ms Bailey of failing to listen to their communities by ignoring the petition.
They have called on her to table it in Parliament.
The petition, which read “send a clear message that the only place for an after hours GP clinic is in the Upper Yarra”, was signed by nearly 2500 people over a three month period.
Yarra Valley FM presenter Mel Gowing initiated the petition, distributing copies to more than 30 retail and community service outlets from Wandin to Reefton and Powelltown, between July and September this year.
Mr Gowing told the Mail that the petition was supported by and drawn up in Ms Bailey’s office, and that she had undertaken to present the petition to Federal Health Minister, Tony Abbott.
However, concerns have been raised that Ms Bailey distanced herself from the petition after announcing an after-hours GP service would open in Healesville by the end of year, with a similar service to follow in Yarra Junction.
MRAG president and Millgrove Newsagency proprietor Maureen Halit, who held copies of the petition in her shop, said she was concerned Ms Bailey had ignored the petition.
“What is the point of a petition if it is not going to be heard by the decision makers?
“By not taking up the petition sooner, Ms Bailey is issuing another kick in the butt to the Upper Yarra Community,” she said.
Ms Halit said it was the most successful and well-supported petition she has seen in 20 years at the newsagency.
“If petitions like this are going to be ignored by politicians, where does the community go to voice its opinions?
“It is a shame that our communities are not being listened to,” she said.
Ms Halit said she was shocked to hear Healesville would receive an after hours service ahead of Yarra Junction.
Upper Yarra Community Voice president Glennice Mathers, who signed the petition at the Yarra Junction post office, said Ms Bailey owed the community an explanation.
“People signed this petition to do their little bit where they live, to send a message about what they want, and then we find out that Healesville is getting a service before us, and that our signatures don’t mean a thing,” she said.
“People who signed the petition have a right to know where it has gone. Has it gone into Fran’s too hard basket, or has it gone into the shredder?”
Millgrove Baptist Church’s Reverend Luke Whiteside said the petition should not be ignored.
“Signing a petition is one of the few ways in between elections that we can make a difference as a group of residents. About a fifth of the Upper Yarra population signed this petition and if its message is ignored, then that is very concerning,” he said.
River Valley Church pastor Andy Bennett said he was concerned that the petition had not been given Ms Bailey’s full attention.
“It is scandalous that any attempt to provide access to local health care is being overlooked. Anything that stymies genuine community attempts needs to be exposed and dealt with,” he said.
Mr Gowing told the Mail last week that he delivered the petition to Ms Bailey’s office on Friday, 4 November.
The Mail contacted Ms Bailey’s office to verify the fate of the petition but was told she was on personal leave and would not be available for comment before deadline.