❓ Hon. Samantha Rowe questions the Minister for Health regarding budget cuts to Aboriginal health programs, specifically Footprints to Better Health and the Aboriginal Health Council of WA, despite previous commitments to fully fund 'good' programs. The Minister acknowledges the cuts, citing savings measures and redirection of funds.
AnsweredQoN 719Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
STATE BUDGET 2015–16 — ABORIGINAL
HEALTH
719. Hon SAMANTHA ROWE to the
parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the answer to question
without notice 419 in the other place on 20 May 2015 about the apparent cut to
Footprints to Better Health in the 2015–16 budget, and the minister's
commitment to —
� fund the full 88 per cent of
programs that the Holman review listed as either very good or good.
(1) Is the
Minister for Health aware that the new contracts offered by the department for
Footprints to Better Health do not fully fund the very good and good programs
identified by the Holman report by failing to provide a consumer price index
increase and imposing a two per cent efficiency dividend?
(2) Will the
minister honour his commitment to fully fund those programs and direct the
department to provide a CPI increase and no efficiency dividend cut?
(3) Is the
minister aware that the department is proposing to cut the core funding of the
Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia by more than 30 per cent in the
2015–16 financial year?
(4) Does the
minister support the observation of the Holman report on the crucial role that
the AHCWA plays?
(5) Will the
minister direct his department to reverse the more than 30 per cent funding cut
being imposed upon AHCWA; and if not, why not?
HEALTH
719. Hon SAMANTHA ROWE to the
parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the answer to question
without notice 419 in the other place on 20 May 2015 about the apparent cut to
Footprints to Better Health in the 2015–16 budget, and the minister's
commitment to —
� fund the full 88 per cent of
programs that the Holman review listed as either very good or good.
(1) Is the
Minister for Health aware that the new contracts offered by the department for
Footprints to Better Health do not fully fund the very good and good programs
identified by the Holman report by failing to provide a consumer price index
increase and imposing a two per cent efficiency dividend?
(2) Will the
minister honour his commitment to fully fund those programs and direct the
department to provide a CPI increase and no efficiency dividend cut?
(3) Is the
minister aware that the department is proposing to cut the core funding of the
Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia by more than 30 per cent in the
2015–16 financial year?
(4) Does the
minister support the observation of the Holman report on the crucial role that
the AHCWA plays?
(5) Will the
minister direct his department to reverse the more than 30 per cent funding cut
being imposed upon AHCWA; and if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of this question. The following information has been provided to me
by the Minister for Health.
(1) Yes, the
Minister for Health is aware of the savings measures of a two per cent
reduction to all continuing Footprints to Better Health programs in 2015–16.
This small measure allows all ''good'' programs to be funded,
maintaining 88 per cent of the prior Footprints to Better Health funding.
Consumer price index funding for these projects will be confirmed when
escalation rates for non-government organisations are considered at the midyear
review.
(2) The
Department of Health was requested to find the shortfall between the Department
of Treasury's budget allocation of $l5.978 million in 2015–16
and the $28.877 million budget required to implement 88 per cent of Footprints
programs in line with the Holman review. This has now occurred.
(3) The minister
is aware of the reduction to funding to the Aboriginal Health Council for 2015–16.
The � amount represents a 25 per cent
reduction to the originally proposed funding.
(4)–(5)
AHCWA is a representative body that supports and advocates for Aboriginal
health groups. The � Minister for Health
has determined that the savings achieved will be redirected to other areas of
need in Aboriginal health, for example direct to on-ground service providers.
some notice of this question. The following information has been provided to me
by the Minister for Health.
(1) Yes, the
Minister for Health is aware of the savings measures of a two per cent
reduction to all continuing Footprints to Better Health programs in 2015–16.
This small measure allows all ''good'' programs to be funded,
maintaining 88 per cent of the prior Footprints to Better Health funding.
Consumer price index funding for these projects will be confirmed when
escalation rates for non-government organisations are considered at the midyear
review.
(2) The
Department of Health was requested to find the shortfall between the Department
of Treasury's budget allocation of $l5.978 million in 2015–16
and the $28.877 million budget required to implement 88 per cent of Footprints
programs in line with the Holman review. This has now occurred.
(3) The minister
is aware of the reduction to funding to the Aboriginal Health Council for 2015–16.
The � amount represents a 25 per cent
reduction to the originally proposed funding.
(4)–(5)
AHCWA is a representative body that supports and advocates for Aboriginal
health groups. The � Minister for Health
has determined that the savings achieved will be redirected to other areas of
need in Aboriginal health, for example direct to on-ground service providers.
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