❓ Mr Kirkup questions the Minister for Health about significant increases in STI rates among Aboriginal Western Australians. The Minister acknowledges the issue, attributing it to a national trend and highlighting government investment in addressing it.
AnsweredQoN 839Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS AND BLOODBORNE
VIRUSES — REPORT
839. Mr Z.R.F. KIRKUP to the Minister for Health:
I refer to the report released today by the Department of
Health about sexually transmissible infections and bloodborne viruses in Western
Australia. Can the minister confirm that in the last 12 months there has been
an unacceptable 131 per cent increase in syphilis rates, a 35 per cent increase
in gonorrhoea rates and an 18 per cent increase in hepatitis B rates amongst
Aboriginal Western Australians?
VIRUSES — REPORT
839. Mr Z.R.F. KIRKUP to the Minister for Health:
I refer to the report released today by the Department of
Health about sexually transmissible infections and bloodborne viruses in Western
Australia. Can the minister confirm that in the last 12 months there has been
an unacceptable 131 per cent increase in syphilis rates, a 35 per cent increase
in gonorrhoea rates and an 18 per cent increase in hepatitis B rates amongst
Aboriginal Western Australians?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. I remember this debate,
which we had when we were in opposition. I think the Premier of the day said
that syphilis was rampant through the communities and therefore they should be
shut down. That spearheaded his program to close down remote communities right
across Western Australia.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : Minister, that was despite the fact
that syphilis had increased in the non-Aboriginal community at a much faster
rate.
Mr R.H. COOK : Indeed. The Minister for Aboriginal
Affairs makes the observation that that was despite sexually transmitted
diseases actually increasing in the non-Aboriginal community at a much faster
rate.
The fact of the matter remains that there has been an
epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases that has been making its way from Queensland
through the north of Australia, and now, unfortunately, Western Australia is
bearing the brunt of that. That has crept down through the Kimberley and into
the Pilbara and is making its way through the state. We are investing record
levels of funds to make sure that we put downward pressure on the overall rates
of sexually transmitted diseases in our community. We are continuing to invest
in education. We are continuing to invest in clinics that can provide these
healthcare services. Last year, I announced a discrete package that addressed
this issue in particular. It is an important issue and it is a worrying issue,
but it is not one that has simply appeared overnight; it is part of a national
trend. All the health jurisdictions across Australia are working together to
make sure that we address the issue.
which we had when we were in opposition. I think the Premier of the day said
that syphilis was rampant through the communities and therefore they should be
shut down. That spearheaded his program to close down remote communities right
across Western Australia.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : Minister, that was despite the fact
that syphilis had increased in the non-Aboriginal community at a much faster
rate.
Mr R.H. COOK : Indeed. The Minister for Aboriginal
Affairs makes the observation that that was despite sexually transmitted
diseases actually increasing in the non-Aboriginal community at a much faster
rate.
The fact of the matter remains that there has been an
epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases that has been making its way from Queensland
through the north of Australia, and now, unfortunately, Western Australia is
bearing the brunt of that. That has crept down through the Kimberley and into
the Pilbara and is making its way through the state. We are investing record
levels of funds to make sure that we put downward pressure on the overall rates
of sexually transmitted diseases in our community. We are continuing to invest
in education. We are continuing to invest in clinics that can provide these
healthcare services. Last year, I announced a discrete package that addressed
this issue in particular. It is an important issue and it is a worrying issue,
but it is not one that has simply appeared overnight; it is part of a national
trend. All the health jurisdictions across Australia are working together to
make sure that we address the issue.
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