Helen Haines, Tim McCurdy and Tania Maxwell lobby for Bright Hospital redevelopment

Alpine Shire Mayor Sarah Nicholas, Alpine Health chief executive Nick Shaw and local health professionals shared their views at a roundtable event this week hosted by federal Member for Indi Helen Haines along with Victorian MPs Tania Maxwell and Tim McCurdy.

Dr Haines declared the meeting a success.

The federal Minister for Rural Health, David Gillespie, said that while he could not give specific commitments of funding, the federal government would soon open applications for some $80 million in grants for aged care facilities.

A a representative for Greg Hunt said that new funding models being developed in the wake of the Aged Care Royal Commission opened up "new possibilities" to fund Bright's proposed redevelopment.

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At the roundtable Victorian Shadow Treasurer, David Davis, said the opposition remains committed to providing $15 million to the project if elected.

The Victorian government declined to attend.

"The Victorian Liberals have already put funding on the table for Bright," Dr Haines said.

"I'm calling on the federal Liberals to match their state counterparts in backing this proposal.

"There is an opportunity for the federal government to make this a dedicated line item in the budget they are preparing for March. What a fantastic vote of confidence that would be in the community of Bright if they put funding on the table in this budget."

Member for Northern Victoria Tania Maxwell said the collaboration campaign was essential to the growth of the Bright community.

Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy said he would continue to advocate for state funding for the project.

"I am very passionate about the Bright community and I will leave no stone unturned to improve the health outcomes and the aged care outcomes for residents of Bright," he said.

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