Hon Robin Chapple questions the Minister for Health regarding funding for the Wamba Nilgee Burru Ngardu Derby Men’s Service, the only Indigenous men's support service in Derby. The Minister acknowledges the service's importance but cannot guarantee continued funding due to budget constraints.

AnsweredQoN 1160Legislative Council
Asked
18 August 2009
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

In relation to the Wamba Nilgee Burru Ngardu Derby Men’s Service, -
(1) Is the Minister aware that the Derby Men’s Service is the only support service available specifically for Indigenous men in the Derby area?
(2) Does the Minister agree that the Derby Men’s Service has played an important role in providing support and assistance to Indigenous men in and around Derby and that this support and assistance has been crucial in supporting and assisting the Derby community generally?
(3) Does the Minister agree that the Derby Men’s Service continues to play an important role in providing support and assistance to Indigenous men in and around Derby and that this support and assistance continues to be crucial in supporting and assisting the Derby community generally?
(4) Does the Minister therefore agree that failing to ensure sufficient funding is provided to the Derby Men’s Service will necessarily mean that the Derby Men’s Service closes?
(5) Does the Minister agree that closure of the Derby Men’s Service will result in the cessation of support and assistance provided by the Derby Men’s Service to the Derby community generally?
(6) Will State Government funding continue to be provided to the Derby Men’s Service?
(7) If no to (5), on what basis was funding stopped?
(8) If no to (5), and given the important role the Derby Men’s Service plays in the Derby community, will the Minister commit to ensuring that the Derby Men’s Service promptly receives funding (be that from the State Government or through interfacing with the Western Australian Aboriginal Men’s Health Reference Group and Regional Network) sufficient to enable the Derby Men’s Service to remain operational?
(9) If no to (8), why not?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
15 September 2009
Responded by
Minister for Transport representing the Minister for Health
Response time
28 days
(1) The Minister for Health is not aware of any other specific services for Aboriginal men in the Derby area, although the Minister is aware of the Derby Aboriginal Health Service that provides primary and clinical health services, including chronic disease and sexual health programs in the region.
(2) The Minister for Health acknowledges the Wamba Nilgee Burru Ngardu Derby Men's Service and the role it plays in the Derby community supporting Aboriginal men.
(3) The Minister for Health acknowledges the Derby Men's Service's support for Aboriginal men in the Derby community and the role it's played in and around Derby assisting Aboriginal men.
(4) The Minister for Health acknowledges that the Derby Men's Service would find it difficult to remain open without sufficient funding.
(5) The Minister for Health would require further advice as to whether this support could be provided by other services.
(6) - (7) The Department of Health Western Australia does not have, and has not had, a Service Agreement with the Derby Men's Service.
(8) The Minister for Health can not guarantee funding to enable the Derby Men's Service to remain operational.
(9) As previously indicated to the Derby Men's Service, their 2008 funding proposal to the Office of Aboriginal Health (OAH) was unsuccessful because the OAH budget was fully committed.
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