JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
MINISTER FOR
EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TRAINING
THE HON DR BRENDAN NELSON MP |
MINISTER FOR
HEALTH AND AGEING
THE HON TONY ABBOTT MP |
MEDICAL SCHOOL FOR WESTERN SYDNEY
11 May 2004 MINBUD 19/04
The Australian Government will provide $18 million over three
years to establish a medical school at the University of Western
Sydney which will enhance and improve the teaching hospital capacity
and the delivery of health and medical services in Western and South
Western Sydney.
The funding for the University of Western Sydney (UWS) will start
in 2005-06, with students planned to enrol from 2007.
"The Australian Government recognises that the people of Western
Sydney need a medical school, to give their students the opportunity
to become doctors, and to boost the numbers of medical practitioners
in the area," said Mr Abbott.
The medical school will serve students of Western Sydney, the
Southern Highlands, Blue Mountains and the Central West, and will
attract students from elsewhere.
It is envisaged that a significant proportion of the UWS medical
school students would be bonded to spend a period of time after
their graduation practicing medicine in the Greater Western region,
which is home to about 1.8 million people.
The funding is subject to the New South Wales Government and UWS
each making a contribution that matches the Australian Government
contribution.
"The new medical school opens not only opportunities for students
in Western Sydney and the surrounding regions who wish to study
medicine, but it will also enrich the local community by providing
medical professionals who have grown up in the local area," said Dr
Nelson.
This measure reflects the Howard Government’s ongoing commitment
to assisting in building better communities in Australia, and
providing opportunity and choice in education for all Australians.
Media Contacts:
Dr Nelson’s Office: Ross Hampton 0419 484 095
Mr Abbott’s Office: Kate Jordan 0417 425 227
Dept of Education, Science & Training: Virginia Cook 0412 971 323
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