Petition

This petition of electors of Charters Towers draws the attention of the
House to the lack of dental services in western towns and communities
forcing residents to travel long distances for dental care and treatment.
For example, the towns of Hughenden and Richmond haven’t had the services
of a locum dentist for months and must travel to Charters Towers or
Townsville for treatment which means for some an 800 to 900 km round trip
to get a tooth fixed.

Your petitioners therefore request the House as a matter of urgency to
increase the incentive package to attract suitably qualified dentists to
western communities to redress the chronic shortage of dental services in
centres such as Richmond and Hughenden.