VICTORIAN Parliament resumes for 2021 next week and it signifies a big year ahead for the Reason Coalition as we fight for significant policy, service and infrastructure needs for the Mildura electorate.
Our RateGate campaign pushing for permanent, structural reform to fix the rural-metro rates disparity remains a priority, with almost 800 people having signed our e-petition.
It’s a great start, but we’re hopeful of getting thousands to sign to really ramp up the pressure on the Victorian Government to change the system.
Another major funding and service priority for the 2021 Budget is a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre for Mildura.
During Reason Coalition leader Fiona Patten’s visit to the Mildura electorate last week, we met with several stakeholders where the dire need for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre was laid bare.
We spoke to several people including two Indigenous elders who told us their painful personal stories of addiction and the life-changing impact and meaningful change that can come for the community from a dedicated rehabilitation centre.
Ms Patten will submit a motion in the Legislative Council next week calling on Minister for Health Martin Foley and Treasurer Tim Pallas to fund a 12-bed alcohol and drug rehabilitation service in Mildura in the 2021-22 Budget.
Research shows people recovering from addiction require dedicated specialist services – with a support system of family and friends crucial, particularly for patients in the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community.
Mildura has a higher-than-average amount of registered drug and alcohol patients, including those on waiting lists, and lower socio-economic indicators and high avoidable death rates and emergency department presentations.
Government reports and regional health experts have repeatedly highlighted the need for a dedicated, culturally appropriate, drug and alcohol rehabilitation service in Mildura and Ms Patten’s motion in Parliament next week is an important step in the process of gaining Government support and funding.
