[Greens-Media] Stingy Premier cuts health services for disadvantaged

[Alison Orme]

Media Release - 13 November 2008 - Greens MP Lee Rhiannon

Stingy Premier cuts health services for disadvantaged

Greens MP and health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon is calling on Premier
Rees to reverse a mini-budget decision to cut $11 million from the
non-profit community sector that delivers health services to
disadvantaged groups including the homeless, mentally ill, indigenous
communities, people living with HIV/AIDS and those with drug and alcohol
problems (p. 5, Sydney Morning Herald).

“The decision to cut $11 million over three years will help earn Mr
Rees the reputation of being a stingy Premier, robbing disadvantaged
people of services to pay for Labor’s economic mismanagement,” Ms
Rhiannon said. 
 
“Yesterday in Parliament when I asked Health Minister Della Bosca
about the cuts he said the sector needed to make savings and find
efficiencies. But the reality is that there’s no fat to cut.

“This is flawed economic policy which will cost the public more down
the track.

“The community sector is often best placed to gain people’s trust
through the provision of on-the-ground and outreach services and reap
the best health outcomes.

“Pulling funding from community health care services that work to
prevent people reaching the hospital system is counter-intuitive and
short-sighted.
 
“Treasury’s latest belt-tightening exercise will starve the life
out of health NGOs.

“There’s no room for cuts in this sector which already relies on
the good will of overworked and underpaid workers.

“With increasing demands on hospitals and growing health inequities
in society, funding cuts to this sector which is so effective in
reaching out to disadvantaged people just doesn’t make sense.

“Where is the evidence of inefficiency in this non-government health
sector?

“While nationally there is a move to enhance primary and community
services, NSW is heading in the opposite direction.

“People living with HIV/AIDS, drug and alcohol problems, homelessness
and mental illness will now also be living with fewer services,” Ms
Rhiannon said. 

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568


Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Wed-Fri)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au