Media Releases
Federal Government commits $13.4 million to improve indigenous access to health care
The Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Kay Patterson, today announced funding of $13.35 million to construct and redevelop health facilities and services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in urban, rural and remote Australia.
11 June 2002
Federal Government commits $13.4 million to improve indigenous access to health care
The Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Kay Patterson, today announced funding of $13.35 million to construct and redevelop health facilities and services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in urban, rural and remote Australia.The funding, to be used to improve access to effective primary health care and substance misuse services by Indigenous Australians, is part of the Commonwealth funded Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Capital Works Program for projects for community health and substance misuse services throughout Australia.
"The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program has grown considerably over the past six years, more than doubling the resources available for community-based primary health care and substance misuse services," Senator Patterson said.
"This year the Government has identified 10 major and 36 minor capital works projects for priority funding. Major projects range in scope and value from $0.5m for the upgrading of an existing clinic to $1.9m for the construction of a new, purpose- built health facility."
The needs for funding infrastructure within Indigenous communities were identified through an independent review of existing facilities, taking into account safety for clients and staff as well as the suitability of the buildings.
Senator Patterson said funding requirements for Indigenous communities had been identified in nearly all States and Territories with the majority of funding targeted to health and substance misuse services in communities located in Queensland, Western Australia, New South Wales and the Northern Territory.
The allocation of project funding includes:
- 9 Projects within Northern Territory valued at $3,910,275
- 9 Projects within Queensland valued at $2,666,300
- 6 Projects within New South Wales valued at $2,615,000
- 10 projects within Victoria valued at $782,800
- 3 projects within Western Australia valued at $2,240,000
- 6 projects within South Australia valued at $737,273
- 3 projects within Tasmania valued at $402,000
"This funding enables the provision of health facilities which are built and designed to be durable, locally sustainable and appropriate to the cultural and physical environment of the Indigenous communities," Senator Patterson said.
"The program also supports community participation and local ownership."
As well as the upgrade and improvement of existing facilities the funding will enable the construction of five housing units to accommodate doctors and health care staff in rural and remote communities.
"Providing appropriate accommodation will help attract health care professionals to work in rural and remote areas where they are so urgently needed," Senator Patterson said.
"I am very pleased to announce this round of funding for improvements to the health infrastructure, which is in addition to the $50.5 million of construction activity for Indigenous health programs already in progress in urban, rural and remote locations in Australia."
Health Infrastructure Funding Priorities 2001-2002
Major Capital Works Project Summary Schedules
State | Organisation | Funding (GST Exclusive) | Funding (GST Inclusive) | Federal Electorate |
QLD | Mookai Rosie Bi-Bayan Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation | $1,100,000 | $1,210,000 | Leichhardt |
NT | Central Australian Aboriginal Alcohol Programs Unit | $1,885,275 | $2,073,803 | Lingiari |
WA | Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Health Service | $1,900,000 | $2,090,000 | O'Connor |
NSW | Armidale and District Services Incorporated | $1,600,000 | $1,760,000 | New England |
NSW | Aboriginal Medical Service Cooperative Limited - Redfern | $550,000 | $605,000 | Sydney |
VIC | Lake Tyers Health & Children Services Association | $500,000 | $550,000 | Gippsland |
SA | Nganampa Health Council Incorporated (Watarru Clinic) | $30,000 | $33,000 | Grey |
SA | Nganampa Health Council Incorporated (Nyapari Clinic) | $30,000 | $33,000 | Grey |
SA | Nganampa Health Council Incorporated (Yunarinyi Clinic) | $30,000 | $33,000 | Grey |
SA | Kalparrin Incorporated | $30,000 | $33,000 | Barker |
Total |  | $7,655,275 | $8,420,803 | |
Health Infrastructure Funding Priorities 2001-2002
Minor Capital Works Project Summary Schedules
State | Organisation | Funding (GST Exclusive) | Funding (GST Inclusive) | Federal Electorate |
QLD | Aboriginal and Islander Community Health Services Brisbane Limited | $200,000 | $220,000 | Brisbane |
QLD | Ferdy's Haven Rehabilitation Aboriginal Corporation | $300,000 | $330,000 | Herbert |
QLD | Aborigines and Islanders Alcohol Relief Service Limited | $441,870 | $486,057 | Leichhardt |
QLD | Kalkadoon Aboriginal Sobriety House | $402,730 | $443,003 | Kennedy |
QLD | Yarrabah Substance Misuse Centre | $135,000 | $148,500 | Leichhardt |
QLD | Mulungu Aboriginal Corporation Medical Centre | $15,500 | $17,050 | Kennedy |
QLD | Mamu Medical Service Limited | $41,200 | $45,320 | Kennedy |
QLD | Mudth-Niyleta Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation | 30,000 | 33,000 | Dawson |
NT | Miyakburra (Health) Bickerton Island | $300,000 | $330,000 | Lingiari |
NT | Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation | $500,000 | $550,000 | Lingiari |
NT | Mungoobada Aboriginal Corporation - Robison River | $30,000 | $33,000 | Lingiari |
NT | NPY Women's Council Aboriginal Corporation - Mutijulu | $400,000 | $440,000 | Lingiari |
NT | Central Australia Aboriginal Congress | $130,000 | $143,000 | Lingiari |
NT | Gapuwiyak Community Incorporated | $205,000 | $225,500 | Lingiari |
NT | Council for Aboriginal Alcohol Programs Services Incorporated | $115,000 | $126,500 | Solomon |
NT | Maningrida Health Board Aboriginal Corporation | $345,000 | $379,500 | Lingiari |
VIC | Swan Hill and District Aboriginal Cooperative | $49,000 | $53,900 | Mallee |
VIC | Gunditjmara Aboriginal cooperative | $62,000 | $68,200 | Wannon |
VIC | Wathaurong Aboriginal cooperative | $21,000 | $23,100 | Corio |
VIC | Cummeragunja Housing and Development Aboriginal Corporation | $24,000 | $26,400 | Murray |
VIC | Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Cooperative Ltd | $7,500 | $8,250 | Gippsland |
VIC | Bunurong Health Service | $17,000 | $18,700 | Holt |
VIC | Winda Mara Aboriginal Corporation | $62,000 | $68,200 | Wannon |
VIC | Mildura Aboriginal Corporation | $34,000 | $37,400 | Farrer |
VIC | Central Gippsland Aboriginal Health and Housing Cooperative | $6,300 | $6,930 | McMillan |
WA | Yura Yungi Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation | $90,000 | $99,000 | Kalgoorlie |
WA | Carnarvon Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation | $250,000 | $275,000 | Kalgoorlie |
NSW | Benelong's Haven Limited | $125,000 | $137,500 | Cowper |
NSW | Bourke Aboriginal Health Service | $143,000 | $157,300 | Parkes |
NSW | Pius X Aboriginal Corporation | $154,500 | $169,950 | Gwydir |
NSW | Katungal Aboriginal Corporation Community Medical Service | $42,000 | $46,200 | Eden-Monaro |
SA | Tullawon Health Service | $420,000 | $462,000 | Grey |
SA | Ceduna/Koonibba Aboriginal Health Service | $197,273 | $217,000 | Grey |
TAS | Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre Incorporated | $300,000 | $330,000 | Denison |
TAS | South East Tasmania Aboriginal Corporation | $42,000 | $46,200 | Franklin |
TAS | Flinders Island Aboriginal Association Incorporated | $60,000 | $66,000 | Bass |
Total | | $5,697,873 | $6,267,660 | |
Media Contact: Randal Markey, Office of Senator Patterson, (02) 6277 7220
Kay McNiece, Dept of Health and Ageing, 0412 132 585
