❓ A parliamentary question addresses the WA government's funding decisions regarding the Epilepsy Association, particularly concerning support for Aboriginal communities. The Minister's response clarifies that the Association had not previously received funding, and addresses concerns about communication and alternative programs.
AnsweredQoN 792Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
epilepsy association — government funding
I refer to the government’s repeated refusal to fund the Epilepsy Association to carry out important education and advocacy work in the community, with particular interest in support of Aboriginal people suffering from the condition. (1) Why has the Minister for Health repeatedly failed to respond to questions from the Epilepsy Association put in writing to him or his department? (2) Why has the association’s funding been reduced for 2009-10? (3) Why has this organisation been targeted for particularly aggressive funding cuts whereas other non-government health organisations seem to be unaffected by the government’s budget measures? (4) Why has the minister failed to approve funding for epilepsy programs in the Aboriginal communities, as detailed by the association? (5) What other dedicated Aboriginal-focused epilepsy programs are being considered or delivered in the absence of the program proposed by the Epilepsy Association of WA? (6) Why does the government support for the Epilepsy Association of WA fall short of the support provided to similar associations in other states? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN
I refer to the government’s repeated refusal to fund the Epilepsy Association to carry out important education and advocacy work in the community, with particular interest in support of Aboriginal people suffering from the condition. (1) Why has the Minister for Health repeatedly failed to respond to questions from the Epilepsy Association put in writing to him or his department? (2) Why has the association’s funding been reduced for 2009-10? (3) Why has this organisation been targeted for particularly aggressive funding cuts whereas other non-government health organisations seem to be unaffected by the government’s budget measures? (4) Why has the minister failed to approve funding for epilepsy programs in the Aboriginal communities, as detailed by the association? (5) What other dedicated Aboriginal-focused epilepsy programs are being considered or delivered in the absence of the program proposed by the Epilepsy Association of WA? (6) Why does the government support for the Epilepsy Association of WA fall short of the support provided to similar associations in other states? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health and the Department of Health have provided many written responses to questions from the Epilepsy Association of WA on its funding request. The association has been advised that no further correspondence is being responded to on this particular request for funds as no new issues have been raised. (2) Not applicable. The Department of Health has not previously provided funding for the Epilepsy Association of WA. (3) Not applicable. The Epilepsy Association of WA had no funding from the Department of Health to be cut. (4) There are no additional funds available to support the proposal submitted by the Epilepsy Association of WA. (5) Programs are available that support the implementation of the statewide epilepsy model of care. (6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
(1) Why has the Minister for Health repeatedly failed to respond to questions from the Epilepsy Association put in writing to him or his department? (2) Why has the association’s funding been reduced for 2009-10? (3) Why has this organisation been targeted for particularly aggressive funding cuts whereas other non-government health organisations seem to be unaffected by the government’s budget measures? (4) Why has the minister failed to approve funding for epilepsy programs in the Aboriginal communities, as detailed by the association? (5) What other dedicated Aboriginal-focused epilepsy programs are being considered or delivered in the absence of the program proposed by the Epilepsy Association of WA? (6) Why does the government support for the Epilepsy Association of WA fall short of the support provided to similar associations in other states? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health and the Department of Health have provided many written responses to questions from the Epilepsy Association of WA on its funding request. The association has been advised that no further correspondence is being responded to on this particular request for funds as no new issues have been raised. (2) Not applicable. The Department of Health has not previously provided funding for the Epilepsy Association of WA. (3) Not applicable. The Epilepsy Association of WA had no funding from the Department of Health to be cut. (4) There are no additional funds available to support the proposal submitted by the Epilepsy Association of WA. (5) Programs are available that support the implementation of the statewide epilepsy model of care. (6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
(2) Why has the association’s funding been reduced for 2009-10? (3) Why has this organisation been targeted for particularly aggressive funding cuts whereas other non-government health organisations seem to be unaffected by the government’s budget measures? (4) Why has the minister failed to approve funding for epilepsy programs in the Aboriginal communities, as detailed by the association? (5) What other dedicated Aboriginal-focused epilepsy programs are being considered or delivered in the absence of the program proposed by the Epilepsy Association of WA? (6) Why does the government support for the Epilepsy Association of WA fall short of the support provided to similar associations in other states? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health and the Department of Health have provided many written responses to questions from the Epilepsy Association of WA on its funding request. The association has been advised that no further correspondence is being responded to on this particular request for funds as no new issues have been raised. (2) Not applicable. The Department of Health has not previously provided funding for the Epilepsy Association of WA. (3) Not applicable. The Epilepsy Association of WA had no funding from the Department of Health to be cut. (4) There are no additional funds available to support the proposal submitted by the Epilepsy Association of WA. (5) Programs are available that support the implementation of the statewide epilepsy model of care. (6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
(3) Why has this organisation been targeted for particularly aggressive funding cuts whereas other non-government health organisations seem to be unaffected by the government’s budget measures? (4) Why has the minister failed to approve funding for epilepsy programs in the Aboriginal communities, as detailed by the association? (5) What other dedicated Aboriginal-focused epilepsy programs are being considered or delivered in the absence of the program proposed by the Epilepsy Association of WA? (6) Why does the government support for the Epilepsy Association of WA fall short of the support provided to similar associations in other states? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health and the Department of Health have provided many written responses to questions from the Epilepsy Association of WA on its funding request. The association has been advised that no further correspondence is being responded to on this particular request for funds as no new issues have been raised. (2) Not applicable. The Department of Health has not previously provided funding for the Epilepsy Association of WA. (3) Not applicable. The Epilepsy Association of WA had no funding from the Department of Health to be cut. (4) There are no additional funds available to support the proposal submitted by the Epilepsy Association of WA. (5) Programs are available that support the implementation of the statewide epilepsy model of care. (6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
(4) Why has the minister failed to approve funding for epilepsy programs in the Aboriginal communities, as detailed by the association? (5) What other dedicated Aboriginal-focused epilepsy programs are being considered or delivered in the absence of the program proposed by the Epilepsy Association of WA? (6) Why does the government support for the Epilepsy Association of WA fall short of the support provided to similar associations in other states? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health and the Department of Health have provided many written responses to questions from the Epilepsy Association of WA on its funding request. The association has been advised that no further correspondence is being responded to on this particular request for funds as no new issues have been raised. (2) Not applicable. The Department of Health has not previously provided funding for the Epilepsy Association of WA. (3) Not applicable. The Epilepsy Association of WA had no funding from the Department of Health to be cut. (4) There are no additional funds available to support the proposal submitted by the Epilepsy Association of WA. (5) Programs are available that support the implementation of the statewide epilepsy model of care. (6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
(5) What other dedicated Aboriginal-focused epilepsy programs are being considered or delivered in the absence of the program proposed by the Epilepsy Association of WA? (6) Why does the government support for the Epilepsy Association of WA fall short of the support provided to similar associations in other states? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health and the Department of Health have provided many written responses to questions from the Epilepsy Association of WA on its funding request. The association has been advised that no further correspondence is being responded to on this particular request for funds as no new issues have been raised. (2) Not applicable. The Department of Health has not previously provided funding for the Epilepsy Association of WA. (3) Not applicable. The Epilepsy Association of WA had no funding from the Department of Health to be cut. (4) There are no additional funds available to support the proposal submitted by the Epilepsy Association of WA. (5) Programs are available that support the implementation of the statewide epilepsy model of care. (6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
(6) Why does the government support for the Epilepsy Association of WA fall short of the support provided to similar associations in other states? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health and the Department of Health have provided many written responses to questions from the Epilepsy Association of WA on its funding request. The association has been advised that no further correspondence is being responded to on this particular request for funds as no new issues have been raised. (2) Not applicable. The Department of Health has not previously provided funding for the Epilepsy Association of WA. (3) Not applicable. The Epilepsy Association of WA had no funding from the Department of Health to be cut. (4) There are no additional funds available to support the proposal submitted by the Epilepsy Association of WA. (5) Programs are available that support the implementation of the statewide epilepsy model of care. (6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health and the Department of Health have provided many written responses to questions from the Epilepsy Association of WA on its funding request. The association has been advised that no further correspondence is being responded to on this particular request for funds as no new issues have been raised. (2) Not applicable. The Department of Health has not previously provided funding for the Epilepsy Association of WA. (3) Not applicable. The Epilepsy Association of WA had no funding from the Department of Health to be cut. (4) There are no additional funds available to support the proposal submitted by the Epilepsy Association of WA. (5) Programs are available that support the implementation of the statewide epilepsy model of care. (6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health and the Department of Health have provided many written responses to questions from the Epilepsy Association of WA on its funding request. The association has been advised that no further correspondence is being responded to on this particular request for funds as no new issues have been raised. (2) Not applicable. The Department of Health has not previously provided funding for the Epilepsy Association of WA. (3) Not applicable. The Epilepsy Association of WA had no funding from the Department of Health to be cut. (4) There are no additional funds available to support the proposal submitted by the Epilepsy Association of WA. (5) Programs are available that support the implementation of the statewide epilepsy model of care. (6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
(1) The Minister for Health and the Department of Health have provided many written responses to questions from the Epilepsy Association of WA on its funding request. The association has been advised that no further correspondence is being responded to on this particular request for funds as no new issues have been raised. (2) Not applicable. The Department of Health has not previously provided funding for the Epilepsy Association of WA. (3) Not applicable. The Epilepsy Association of WA had no funding from the Department of Health to be cut. (4) There are no additional funds available to support the proposal submitted by the Epilepsy Association of WA. (5) Programs are available that support the implementation of the statewide epilepsy model of care. (6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
(2) Not applicable. The Department of Health has not previously provided funding for the Epilepsy Association of WA. (3) Not applicable. The Epilepsy Association of WA had no funding from the Department of Health to be cut. (4) There are no additional funds available to support the proposal submitted by the Epilepsy Association of WA. (5) Programs are available that support the implementation of the statewide epilepsy model of care. (6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
(3) Not applicable. The Epilepsy Association of WA had no funding from the Department of Health to be cut. (4) There are no additional funds available to support the proposal submitted by the Epilepsy Association of WA. (5) Programs are available that support the implementation of the statewide epilepsy model of care. (6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
(4) There are no additional funds available to support the proposal submitted by the Epilepsy Association of WA. (5) Programs are available that support the implementation of the statewide epilepsy model of care. (6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
(5) Programs are available that support the implementation of the statewide epilepsy model of care. (6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
(6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
(1) Why has the Minister for Health repeatedly failed to respond to questions from the Epilepsy Association put in writing to him or his department? (2) Why has the association’s funding been reduced for 2009-10? (3) Why has this organisation been targeted for particularly aggressive funding cuts whereas other non-government health organisations seem to be unaffected by the government’s budget measures? (4) Why has the minister failed to approve funding for epilepsy programs in the Aboriginal communities, as detailed by the association? (5) What other dedicated Aboriginal-focused epilepsy programs are being considered or delivered in the absence of the program proposed by the Epilepsy Association of WA? (6) Why does the government support for the Epilepsy Association of WA fall short of the support provided to similar associations in other states? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health and the Department of Health have provided many written responses to questions from the Epilepsy Association of WA on its funding request. The association has been advised that no further correspondence is being responded to on this particular request for funds as no new issues have been raised. (2) Not applicable. The Department of Health has not previously provided funding for the Epilepsy Association of WA. (3) Not applicable. The Epilepsy Association of WA had no funding from the Department of Health to be cut. (4) There are no additional funds available to support the proposal submitted by the Epilepsy Association of WA. (5) Programs are available that support the implementation of the statewide epilepsy model of care. (6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
(2) Why has the association’s funding been reduced for 2009-10? (3) Why has this organisation been targeted for particularly aggressive funding cuts whereas other non-government health organisations seem to be unaffected by the government’s budget measures? (4) Why has the minister failed to approve funding for epilepsy programs in the Aboriginal communities, as detailed by the association? (5) What other dedicated Aboriginal-focused epilepsy programs are being considered or delivered in the absence of the program proposed by the Epilepsy Association of WA? (6) Why does the government support for the Epilepsy Association of WA fall short of the support provided to similar associations in other states? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health and the Department of Health have provided many written responses to questions from the Epilepsy Association of WA on its funding request. The association has been advised that no further correspondence is being responded to on this particular request for funds as no new issues have been raised. (2) Not applicable. The Department of Health has not previously provided funding for the Epilepsy Association of WA. (3) Not applicable. The Epilepsy Association of WA had no funding from the Department of Health to be cut. (4) There are no additional funds available to support the proposal submitted by the Epilepsy Association of WA. (5) Programs are available that support the implementation of the statewide epilepsy model of care. (6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
(3) Why has this organisation been targeted for particularly aggressive funding cuts whereas other non-government health organisations seem to be unaffected by the government’s budget measures? (4) Why has the minister failed to approve funding for epilepsy programs in the Aboriginal communities, as detailed by the association? (5) What other dedicated Aboriginal-focused epilepsy programs are being considered or delivered in the absence of the program proposed by the Epilepsy Association of WA? (6) Why does the government support for the Epilepsy Association of WA fall short of the support provided to similar associations in other states? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health and the Department of Health have provided many written responses to questions from the Epilepsy Association of WA on its funding request. The association has been advised that no further correspondence is being responded to on this particular request for funds as no new issues have been raised. (2) Not applicable. The Department of Health has not previously provided funding for the Epilepsy Association of WA. (3) Not applicable. The Epilepsy Association of WA had no funding from the Department of Health to be cut. (4) There are no additional funds available to support the proposal submitted by the Epilepsy Association of WA. (5) Programs are available that support the implementation of the statewide epilepsy model of care. (6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
(4) Why has the minister failed to approve funding for epilepsy programs in the Aboriginal communities, as detailed by the association? (5) What other dedicated Aboriginal-focused epilepsy programs are being considered or delivered in the absence of the program proposed by the Epilepsy Association of WA? (6) Why does the government support for the Epilepsy Association of WA fall short of the support provided to similar associations in other states? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health and the Department of Health have provided many written responses to questions from the Epilepsy Association of WA on its funding request. The association has been advised that no further correspondence is being responded to on this particular request for funds as no new issues have been raised. (2) Not applicable. The Department of Health has not previously provided funding for the Epilepsy Association of WA. (3) Not applicable. The Epilepsy Association of WA had no funding from the Department of Health to be cut. (4) There are no additional funds available to support the proposal submitted by the Epilepsy Association of WA. (5) Programs are available that support the implementation of the statewide epilepsy model of care. (6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
(5) What other dedicated Aboriginal-focused epilepsy programs are being considered or delivered in the absence of the program proposed by the Epilepsy Association of WA? (6) Why does the government support for the Epilepsy Association of WA fall short of the support provided to similar associations in other states? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health and the Department of Health have provided many written responses to questions from the Epilepsy Association of WA on its funding request. The association has been advised that no further correspondence is being responded to on this particular request for funds as no new issues have been raised. (2) Not applicable. The Department of Health has not previously provided funding for the Epilepsy Association of WA. (3) Not applicable. The Epilepsy Association of WA had no funding from the Department of Health to be cut. (4) There are no additional funds available to support the proposal submitted by the Epilepsy Association of WA. (5) Programs are available that support the implementation of the statewide epilepsy model of care. (6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
(6) Why does the government support for the Epilepsy Association of WA fall short of the support provided to similar associations in other states? Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health and the Department of Health have provided many written responses to questions from the Epilepsy Association of WA on its funding request. The association has been advised that no further correspondence is being responded to on this particular request for funds as no new issues have been raised. (2) Not applicable. The Department of Health has not previously provided funding for the Epilepsy Association of WA. (3) Not applicable. The Epilepsy Association of WA had no funding from the Department of Health to be cut. (4) There are no additional funds available to support the proposal submitted by the Epilepsy Association of WA. (5) Programs are available that support the implementation of the statewide epilepsy model of care. (6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
Hon SIMON O’BRIEN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health and the Department of Health have provided many written responses to questions from the Epilepsy Association of WA on its funding request. The association has been advised that no further correspondence is being responded to on this particular request for funds as no new issues have been raised. (2) Not applicable. The Department of Health has not previously provided funding for the Epilepsy Association of WA. (3) Not applicable. The Epilepsy Association of WA had no funding from the Department of Health to be cut. (4) There are no additional funds available to support the proposal submitted by the Epilepsy Association of WA. (5) Programs are available that support the implementation of the statewide epilepsy model of care. (6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Minister for Health and the Department of Health have provided many written responses to questions from the Epilepsy Association of WA on its funding request. The association has been advised that no further correspondence is being responded to on this particular request for funds as no new issues have been raised. (2) Not applicable. The Department of Health has not previously provided funding for the Epilepsy Association of WA. (3) Not applicable. The Epilepsy Association of WA had no funding from the Department of Health to be cut. (4) There are no additional funds available to support the proposal submitted by the Epilepsy Association of WA. (5) Programs are available that support the implementation of the statewide epilepsy model of care. (6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
(1) The Minister for Health and the Department of Health have provided many written responses to questions from the Epilepsy Association of WA on its funding request. The association has been advised that no further correspondence is being responded to on this particular request for funds as no new issues have been raised. (2) Not applicable. The Department of Health has not previously provided funding for the Epilepsy Association of WA. (3) Not applicable. The Epilepsy Association of WA had no funding from the Department of Health to be cut. (4) There are no additional funds available to support the proposal submitted by the Epilepsy Association of WA. (5) Programs are available that support the implementation of the statewide epilepsy model of care. (6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
(2) Not applicable. The Department of Health has not previously provided funding for the Epilepsy Association of WA. (3) Not applicable. The Epilepsy Association of WA had no funding from the Department of Health to be cut. (4) There are no additional funds available to support the proposal submitted by the Epilepsy Association of WA. (5) Programs are available that support the implementation of the statewide epilepsy model of care. (6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
(3) Not applicable. The Epilepsy Association of WA had no funding from the Department of Health to be cut. (4) There are no additional funds available to support the proposal submitted by the Epilepsy Association of WA. (5) Programs are available that support the implementation of the statewide epilepsy model of care. (6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
(4) There are no additional funds available to support the proposal submitted by the Epilepsy Association of WA. (5) Programs are available that support the implementation of the statewide epilepsy model of care. (6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
(5) Programs are available that support the implementation of the statewide epilepsy model of care. (6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
(6) The Minister for Health is unable to comment on the support provided by other jurisdictions to similar associations.
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