PM in town for medical school

Alex de Vos
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd visited Geelong yesterday to officially open Victoria’s first regional medical school.
Mr Rudd said the school, at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus, would contribute to solving shortages of doctors across regional Victoria.
“What Deakin is embarking on is a great thing for regional Victora,” Mr Rudd said.
“We can either work together or whack each other to help solve the doctor shortage and we’ve decided to work together.
“Deakin University is a success story. Deakin University is a good news story.”
University Vice-Chancellor Sally Walker joined Mr Rudd for the opening.
“This is a red-letter day for Deakin,” Ms Walker said.
“The opening by Mr Rudd emphasises the important contribution the medical school will make to rural and regional Australia.”
Ms Walker said the school would contribute more than $90 million to the region’s economy each year.
Victoria’s Premier John Brumby said state and federal government contributions of over $18 million each to establish the school were a “huge boost” to medical training for graduates throughout south-western Victoria.
“This school will prepare the next generation of doctors who are committed, have the understanding and skills to work in rural and regional Victoria and deliver the best possible health care for rural Victorians,” Mr Brumby said.
Deakin Medical School opened in February for 120 students from across Australia.