[Greens-Media] Alice aerosol outbreak highlights risk of budget cuts

[Redman, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

 20 May 2014

Alice aerosol outbreak highlights risk of budget cuts

 
The Australian Greens said today that funding cuts across programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will undermine the ability for serious community health issues, such as the recently seen outbreaks of aerosol sniffing in Alice Springs, to be addressed.
 
"The federal budget contains cuts of more than half a billion dollars through the collapsing of 150 programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples into just five. This includes a  significant cut of $165.8 to health programs," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues said today.
 
"The recent outbreak of aerosol sniffing in Alice Springs shows how important it is that health and community services have the funding and support necessary to respond quickly and effectively to social and health issues.
 
"It is good to see that retailers have worked with the community to address this current outbreak, but effective responses become increasingly difficult as services lose funding. 
 
"Any defunding of important youth engagement and diversionary programs undermine efforts to help kids stay healthy and engaged at school and in the community, putting them at greater risk.
 
"The recent problems in Alice Springs highlight how serious health issues develop quickly, especially in remote areas, and need a comprehensive package of community backed programs and measures to address them.
 
"I am very concerned about the impact of the Government's cuts and will be pursuing this issue during Senate Estimates next week," Senator Siewert concluded.