About 60 people protested on November 23 against federal Labor’s cuts to the public healthcare system.
Elena, a doctor and activist in Socialists in Healthcare, told the protest: “We don’t accept there is no money for health when there is always money for war, police and to lock children up.”
A groundswell of community pressure has, however, delayed the closure of Cohealth clinics in the city’s inner north until mid-next year, while Labor sets up a review.
Federal health minister Mark Butler has promised up to $1.5 million to support the Cohealth practices in Collingwood, Fitzroy and Kensington — but it is only an eight month reprieve.
Cohealth said on November 20 that it would close counselling services and the Collingwood pharmacy service next month. It also said it would be closing its Hoddle Street site, which needs major renovation work, next year.