1:30min
In the lead up to the QLD State Election on 26 October 2024, Optometry Queensland Northern Territory (OQNT) has continued to follow up key Queensland decision makers, to advocate for the initiatives outlined in our 2024 State Election Platform.
We have outlined several key initiatives aimed at enhancing eye care accessibility and quality across Queensland, including:
- Supporting innovative models of collaborative eye care that enhance timely access for patients with chronic eye health conditions.
- Placing more optometrists within Queensland’s public hospitals to assist in streamlining patient triaging and co-management.
- Undertaking a comprehensive review of the MASS Spectacle Supply Scheme to ensure efficiency and coverage.
- Developing and implementing of a whole-of-life approach to eye screening and examinations.
- Investing in telehealth infrastructure to facilitate remote access to eye care services.
- Offering early, in-principle, support for allowing endorsed optometrists to prescribe scheduled medications for the purpose of practising optometry.
Pleasingly, we have now received formal responses from the Liberal National Party, the Queensland Labor Party and the Queensland Greens, highlighting their commitments to improving eye health care and supporting optometry services, with notable differences in their approaches.
Liberal National Party response
The Liberal National Party (LNP) response expressed an interest in engaging with OQNT post-election, noting that OQNT’s proposed initiatives complement the LNP’s Easier Access to Health Services Plan, which focuses on reducing wait times, improving hospital workflows, and addressing health workforce shortages.
In particular, the response highlighted a systemwide health workforce plan aimed at identifying gaps in primary care to meet future health system needs.
Queensland Labor Party response
In a detailed response from the Queensland Labor Party (QLP), the current Government expressed their commitment to enhancing health care access across QLD, including reaffirming their dedication to supporting optometrists and improving eye health outcomes for Queenslanders.
The response noted the QLP’s Putting Queensland Kids First Plan, which aims to strengthen preventative health care, including $71 million allocated to enhanced child health development checks in the early years. This builds on the Primary School Health Nurse Readiness Program, which, among other activities has screened over 340,000 prep-aged children for vision issues since its inception. The QLP also expressed interest in continuing its collaboration with optometrists through programs like the Paediatric Optometry Alignment Program.
The QLP also reaffirmed their commitment to the ongoing review of the Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme (MASS) Spectacle Supply Scheme. The review, tied to broader Commonwealth reforms in aged and disability care, aims to refine the scheme, with input from OQNT members being welcomed. Further opportunities to contribute to OQNT’s policy and advocacy work here will be announced in the coming months.
Queensland Greens response
The Queensland Greens, represented by Amy MacMahon MP, also provided a detailed reply, acknowledging the importance of early eye health intervention, particularly in addressing conditions like myopia in children. The Greens outlined their vision for a more equitable approach to health care, advocating for free, accessible eye health services for all Queenslanders.
Key elements of the Greens’ plan include expanding the Primary School Health Nurse Readiness Program, broadening eligibility for the Spectacle Supply Scheme, and ensuring fee-free optometry services are available in every region of Queensland. The Greens also stressed the importance of public awareness campaigns to educate Queenslanders on the importance of eye health and how to access services.
Ongoing advocacy
OQNT continues to actively engage with all major political parties to ensure that eye health remains a priority in the 2024 Queensland State Election, and will engage meaningfully on our key priorities with all key decision makers in the new Queensland Government post-election.
Members are encouraged to review OQNT’s pre-election platform here and to stay informed as the election approaches.