Labor expands free dental clinic pledge for Victoria

The Victorian Labor Party has doubled its commitment to provide free dental clinics if re-elected in the upcoming state election on November 28. Premier Ben Carroll announced an expanded plan to establish 20 free dental clinics, an increase from the previously proposed 10. The initiative is estimated to cost taxpayers $230 million and aims to treat approximately 200,000 Victorians annually starting in July 2027.

The planned clinics will include 14 locations in Melbourne and six in regional centers, specifically Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Latrobe, Mildura, and Shepparton. Premier Carroll stated that no Victorian should live in pain due to an inability to afford dental care.

Nationals candidate Andrew Lethlean has questioned the timing of the announcement and the source of the funding, noting the state's significant debt. He expressed a need for more detail regarding how the program will be staffed and financed. This political development follows polling by Roy Morgan that placed the Coalition as the frontrunner in the upcoming election.