Mr BONSON - 2005-03-22
What benefits have the significant increases in health spending brought to Central Australia?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Millner for an important question, which is about Alice Springs and Central Australia, unlike what is coming from opposite. Yes, this government is spending more on health services. We plead guilty to the Leader of the Opposition’s complaints that we are spending too much money on health. I hope we spend even more on health, because Territorians expect to see increasing health services over time, and that is what we are giving them.
The government has injected $150m additional into our health and hospital system at this stage of our term. We promised and delivered 100 extra nurses. This government has invested $11m over four years to improve the Alice Springs Hospital Intensive Care and High Dependency Unit with new equipment and more staff. We have committed $10m to rectify the problems that have emerged from the redevelopment of the hospital, and we will continue to closely monitor these works.
The new health centre being built at Yuendumu, and clinic upgrades across Central Australia, combined with our initial commitment of $1.4m to phase out single-nurse posts, is a significant investment in primary health care and disease prevention in Central Australia.
An extensive minor new works program - almost $650 000 this financial year – will see upgrades, renovations and improvements to over 20 Central Australian health centres, including the provision of men’s rooms, as well as security screening and new generators. Minor new works within Alice Springs itself will see upgrades of mental health, pathology, laundry and catering areas of the hospital.
Since July 2003, the department has awarded over $5m in supply contracts to the Alice Springs business community. The contracts cover a wide range of services, from professional services for cardiac and diabetes rehabilitation, education and information, the supply of furniture and fresh produce to the hospitals, and the provision of security and cleaning services. This investment in Alice Springs assists in strengthening community diversity, capacity and self-reliance. This is important for the local business community and results in confidence and a vigorous economy.
It is unfortunate I do not have time to talk about the new $1.5m renal unit in Tennant Creek, or our $2.4m child health initiative, including eight new full-time positions for Central Australia. However, our ongoing commitment to Alice Springs, our investment in services and to people of the Centre - my home – is very clear.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Millner for an important question, which is about Alice Springs and Central Australia, unlike what is coming from opposite. Yes, this government is spending more on health services. We plead guilty to the Leader of the Opposition’s complaints that we are spending too much money on health. I hope we spend even more on health, because Territorians expect to see increasing health services over time, and that is what we are giving them.
The government has injected $150m additional into our health and hospital system at this stage of our term. We promised and delivered 100 extra nurses. This government has invested $11m over four years to improve the Alice Springs Hospital Intensive Care and High Dependency Unit with new equipment and more staff. We have committed $10m to rectify the problems that have emerged from the redevelopment of the hospital, and we will continue to closely monitor these works.
The new health centre being built at Yuendumu, and clinic upgrades across Central Australia, combined with our initial commitment of $1.4m to phase out single-nurse posts, is a significant investment in primary health care and disease prevention in Central Australia.
An extensive minor new works program - almost $650 000 this financial year – will see upgrades, renovations and improvements to over 20 Central Australian health centres, including the provision of men’s rooms, as well as security screening and new generators. Minor new works within Alice Springs itself will see upgrades of mental health, pathology, laundry and catering areas of the hospital.
Since July 2003, the department has awarded over $5m in supply contracts to the Alice Springs business community. The contracts cover a wide range of services, from professional services for cardiac and diabetes rehabilitation, education and information, the supply of furniture and fresh produce to the hospitals, and the provision of security and cleaning services. This investment in Alice Springs assists in strengthening community diversity, capacity and self-reliance. This is important for the local business community and results in confidence and a vigorous economy.
It is unfortunate I do not have time to talk about the new $1.5m renal unit in Tennant Creek, or our $2.4m child health initiative, including eight new full-time positions for Central Australia. However, our ongoing commitment to Alice Springs, our investment in services and to people of the Centre - my home – is very clear.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016