Mr BALDWIN - 1996-08-14
Following yesterday's budget announcement by the Treasurer that well over $5m of funding has been allocated to build 7 new health clinics in remote Aboriginal communities and to effect a significant number of upgrades, where will the health centres be located?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the honourable member for his question. I know that constituents in his electorate will benefit substantially from this upgrade program. I should give due credit to a former Minister for Health, the Deputy Chief Minister, who initiated this rolling 5-year program in an effort to ensure that a sufficient maintenance and rebuilding program was put in place to meet the burgeoning need for health services in Aboriginal communities.
It is also worth noting the increased Commonwealth collaboration that we are receiving. I am heartened to receive this collaboration personally from the federal Minister for Health and Family Services who recognises the need in Aboriginal communities to deliver better health care at the primary level. This is where these clinics are most valuable, as are the minister's efforts to ensure that the Commonwealth can free up money to help us maintain this rebuilding program.
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There is an enormous need. I have already visited 4 of the clinics that will benefit from the program. At Goulburn Island, I noted that the staff were doing a superb job, but a quick look around would convince anyone of the dire need that exists to do something about improving that community's health clinic. The injection of funds into health clinics from this year's budget comes on top of last year's funding of more than $3.5m for new clinics and upgrades of existing clinics. When one scrutinises the budget and includes minor new works in the program, it is clear that about $8.5m will be spent on extending and upgrading existing clinics, constructing new clinics and including accommodation for staff at those clinics. The clinics involved are Milikapiti, Warruwi (a new clinic), Angurugu (a new clinic), Daly River, Nguiu (a new clinic), Bickerton Island, Kalkarindji, Barunga, Lajamanu, Yuendumu, Docker River, Imanpa, Aputula, Areyonga, Titjikala and Ranku.
As my mum always said to me, `an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure'. These clinics really are the frontline of health service delivery to Aboriginal communities. We could spend a fortune at Royal Darwin Hospital. In fact, we can spend a fortune on more and more clinics. The work these clinics do in educating communities to recognise the need for immunisation, a healthy lifestyle and nutrition programs is really the coalface in health delivery. I am very pleased to announce this funding program.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the honourable member for his question. I know that constituents in his electorate will benefit substantially from this upgrade program. I should give due credit to a former Minister for Health, the Deputy Chief Minister, who initiated this rolling 5-year program in an effort to ensure that a sufficient maintenance and rebuilding program was put in place to meet the burgeoning need for health services in Aboriginal communities.
It is also worth noting the increased Commonwealth collaboration that we are receiving. I am heartened to receive this collaboration personally from the federal Minister for Health and Family Services who recognises the need in Aboriginal communities to deliver better health care at the primary level. This is where these clinics are most valuable, as are the minister's efforts to ensure that the Commonwealth can free up money to help us maintain this rebuilding program.
Page 1472
There is an enormous need. I have already visited 4 of the clinics that will benefit from the program. At Goulburn Island, I noted that the staff were doing a superb job, but a quick look around would convince anyone of the dire need that exists to do something about improving that community's health clinic. The injection of funds into health clinics from this year's budget comes on top of last year's funding of more than $3.5m for new clinics and upgrades of existing clinics. When one scrutinises the budget and includes minor new works in the program, it is clear that about $8.5m will be spent on extending and upgrading existing clinics, constructing new clinics and including accommodation for staff at those clinics. The clinics involved are Milikapiti, Warruwi (a new clinic), Angurugu (a new clinic), Daly River, Nguiu (a new clinic), Bickerton Island, Kalkarindji, Barunga, Lajamanu, Yuendumu, Docker River, Imanpa, Aputula, Areyonga, Titjikala and Ranku.
As my mum always said to me, `an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure'. These clinics really are the frontline of health service delivery to Aboriginal communities. We could spend a fortune at Royal Darwin Hospital. In fact, we can spend a fortune on more and more clinics. The work these clinics do in educating communities to recognise the need for immunisation, a healthy lifestyle and nutrition programs is really the coalface in health delivery. I am very pleased to announce this funding program.
Page 1473
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016