… for the Meander Valley Rural Primary Health Services
Today the Senate passed a motion moved by Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, that called on the Government to recognise important funding for the Meander Valley Rural Primary Health Services.
Senator Whish-Wilson said, “We’ve received phone calls from Meander Valley residents who are very concerned over the news that funding for the Meander Valley Rural Primary Health Services, and programs like Meander Valley Women on the Move and Blokes Days could be cut as soon as December 31st.
“In response, today the Senate sent a strong message to the Federal Government and asked them to recognise the importance of the Westbury and Deloraine Community Health Centres to the Meander Valley.
“The Meander Valley area is characterised by an aged population, high youth unemployment and under-employment, and low household income. It’s essential that the Federal Government continues to fund important youth and social work practices that support the community, including in preventative health and mental health, particularly through the Westbury and Deloraine Community Health Centres,” he concluded.
Senator Peter Whish-Wilson’s motion was co-sponsored by Australian Greens leader and spokesperson for health, Senator Di Natale, and Senators Urquhart and Lambie. The full motion is below.
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Senator Whish –Wilson’s motion supported by the Leader of the Australian Greens (Senator Di Natale) and Senators Urquhart and Lambie:
To move
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That the Senate
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(a) notes that the Meander Valley Council, Tasmania, is characterised by an aged population, high youth unemployment and under-employment, and low household income; and that it experiences all the attendant health and social challenges associated with rural areas across Australia;
(b) notes the success of the Meander Valley Council in utilising federal funding to develop essential youth and social work practices to support the community, including in health prevention and mental health, particularly through the Westbury and Deloraine Community Health Centres;
(c) recognises that health outcomes in rural and regional Australia continue to lag behind the rest of the country;
(d) notes the motion of the Meander Valley Council expressing concern about the impact of the proposed changes to funding for the Rural Primary Health Services Program;
(e) notes that these changes follow harsh cuts by the Federal Government to the Health Flexible Funds which have disproportionately impacted regional communities; and
(f) calls on the Federal Government to recognise the importance of the Westbury and Deloraine Community Health Centres to the Meander Valley when implementing its changes to the Rural Primary Health Services Program.
Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson
