Matt Grudnoff
Senior Economist

Rebekha Sharkie, the independent member for Mayo asked about health inequality in regional Australia.

This is an important issue that literally shortens the lives of those who live far from our capital cities.

Australians with the longest life expectancies are those who live in inner metropolitan electorates. They live almost a year (0.8) longer than those who live in outer metropolitan electorates.

Life expectancy falls even further for those who live in major regional cities. People in these electorates live almost 2 years (1.9) less than inner metro electorates. While those living in rural electorates live 2.3 years less than inner metro electorates.

In Australia we like to think that Medicare means that all Australians have access to the same healthcare, but unfortunately the reality is that where you live has a big impact on the healthcare that you get.