Community Affairs 25 February 2011

Senator SIEWERT—I understand that there has been, variously, a number of consultants that have been engaged for or by Ilpurla to look at its operations and help its operations; is that correct? Could you tell me how much? The reason I am asking this is because I understand that they have a very heavy workload. They have a 20-bed residential facility. Have you done an analysis of what its funding should be compared to the services that are provided by others?

Community Affairs 25 February 2011

Senator SIEWERT—Can we just have a quick update of where Yalata is up to? You knew that was coming, didn’t you?

Ms Powell—I can tell you that there has now been agreement to land in Yalata and we have been talking to the local community about how we might structure a funding agreement to enable an Opal fuel facility to go ahead there. So there has been massive progress since we last spoke.

Senator SIEWERT—That is very good news. Do you have a time line yet when you think we can get some action there?

Community Affairs 25 February 2011

Senator SIEWERT—Can I move to the Indigenous suicide prevention strategy please? We talked about this at the last estimates.

Senator SIEWERT—Can we turn to the development of the strategy please. Has any progress been made? The government made a commitment in response to this committee’s report on suicide. One of our recommendations, as you know, was the development of a specific Indigenous suicide prevention strategy, and the government committed its response to do that. Firstly, where we are at with that?

Community Affairs 25 February 2011

Senator SIEWERT—Can we start on the issue of dialysis? I understand the report into the delivery of treatment for kidney disease among Indigenous people in remote communities in Central Australia has been completed?

Community Affairs – 25 February 2011

Senator SIEWERT—I would like to look at Closing the Gap, which is the first thing on the agenda, but also look at the report itself. I understand that a Closing the Gap brand framework has been developed by the department; is that correct?

Community Affairs Committee – Friday 25 February 2011

Senator SIEWERT—Last time we were here we talked about some suicides in the Kimberley and unfortunately there have been some more, to the point where people over there are calling it a crisis. What action is the department and the Commonwealth taking to assist Western Australia to get some more resources on the ground to deal with this specific issue now?

The Australian Greens are pleased with the Government’s decision to fast track mental health funding to assist communities being affected by a spate of suicides among young Aboriginal people in the Kimberley.

In response to Senate Estimates questions today from Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal Issues, the Department of Health confirmed that some of the $274 million Taking Action to Tackle Suicide package would be fast tracked to address urgent needs in the region.

The Australian Greens say Big Tobacco is continuing a costly and time consuming campaign to block anti-smoking reforms.

Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens Health spokesperson says documents tabled in Senate Estimates reveal the excessive requests under FOI to the Department of Health and Ageing - including detailed requests initially costed at over $1.4 million before taxpayer funded negotiations with Big Tobacco saw this figure reduced to around $360,000. 

Community Affairs 24 February 2011

CHAIR—I now ask witnesses from Australian Hearing to come forward.

Senator SIEWERT—I have had reported to me that some of the very early Cochlear implants are no longer available. So, when the old ones run out, there will no longer be processes to fit that, yet I can clearly remember when we went to visit, as part of our hearing inquiry, that it is technology for life, and these can be retrofitted.