Hon. Alison Xamon questions the lack of forward funding for the Earbus Program in the WA budget, while the government responds that funding has been allocated for 2020-21 and future funding depends on an independent evaluation.

AnsweredQoN 1128Legislative Council
Asked
20 October 2020
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

EARBUS PROGRAM
1128. Hon
ALISON XAMON to the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister
for Health:
I
refer to page 312 of the WA state budget 2020–21 and ''Election
Commitments—Continuation of Ear Bus Program''.
(1) Why has no funding been
allocated for this program in the forward estimates?
(2) Will the McGowan government
commit to funding this program beyond 2021?
(3) If no to (2), why not?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) The Earbus program was an election commitment for
a grant over three years to the Earbus Foundation in 2017. This election
commitment has been met. A further $1.193 million has been allocated for 2020–21.
(2)–(3) An
independent evaluation is required to determine the effectiveness of the current
ear health service provision and consider the recommendations of the Office of
the Auditor General's report into Aboriginal ear health. This will
inform future funding decisions.

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