The Greens know that if all Victorians are to live a full and healthy life, our health system must focus on more than just end-of-the-road hospital treatment. That’s why Dr Richard Di Natale, Greens Senate candidate for Victoria, will this June visit regional areas to promote preventative health in The Greens Healthy State Tour.
Dr Di Natale will travel by foot, electric bike and train to share his ideas on how communities can stay healthy. Notably, Dr Di Natale will not travel by car or plane - this a carbon neutral tour that emphasises the health benefits of public transport.
“The world’s smartest countries know that health isn’t just about hospitals,” says Dr Di Natale. “It’s about good food, clean air, access to public transport, and a health system that caters for the needs of everyone in the community.”
Greens Initiatives
Dr Di Natale will demonstrate how governments can make common sense decisions to help people stay out of hospital, like:
- One-stop-shop health centres where people can see GPs, psychologists, even dieticians, under the one roof
- School garden programmes that teach students the importance of fresh food
- Planning programmes that connect activity centres, build more public transport infrastructure and provide more green spaces
- Denticare programmes that give all citizens access to free dental care
- Laws that ban pokies from sporting clubs
When and Where?
From 1 June, Dr Di Natale will walk, pedal and roll through Warnambool, Geelong, Bendigo, Castlemaine, Traralgon, Warragul, Shepparton, Ballarat and Daylesford.
Dr Richard Di Natale
Dr Di Natale has the best chance of becoming the Greens newest Senator and joining Greens Senators in holding the balance of power after the federal election. The son of Italian immigrants, Richard Di Natale is a doctor and public health specialist and has dedicated much of his medical career to working in disadvantaged communities in Central Australia and India. When Richard is not at the clinic, he works on his farm in the Otway Ranges with his partner Lucy and son Luca. Richard speaks Italian fluently and regularly contributes to SBS radio. After playing six years of VFA football, Richard is now a long suffering Richmond fan.
Tour Statistics
Total distance covered – 1526 kms
Emissions Saved (compared to car travel) - 322.4 kg of carbon
Extra Calories Burned (compared to car travel) – 15, 336