THE Mildura electorate could face a public health emergency if forced into a harsh lockdown similar to what Melbourne has faced over the past few months.
Member for Mildura Ali Cupper told Parliament on Tuesday that a lack of air-conditioning in public housing was a matter of urgency.
“Thankfully, we are starting to see an easing of COVID-19 restrictions, which is allowing more freedom of movement in our community,” Ms Cupper told Parliament in an adjournment speech.
“But after what our state has been through in the past few months, it is critical to consider what would be the impact on public housing tenants if Mildura was forced into a stage 4 lockdown in the middle of a Mallee summer.
“It would be a public health emergency.”
Ms Cupper urged Minister for Housing Richard Wynne to ensure the government prioritised the health and wellbeing of public housing tenants by investing in air-conditioning in their homes before summer.
“To say installing air-conditioning in public housing is a matter of public health and safety is not hyperbole,” she said.
Ms Cupper has been lobbying for November’s Budget to include funding for the installation air-conditioning in public housing.
