Indigenous health vow as scouts get home

HUNDREDS of First Nations health workers would be trained up, millions spent on improving the water supply of remote Aboriginal communities and new kidney dialysis centres opened under Labor’s Indigenous-focused health policy.

The Labor campaign was expected to make the policy announcement in the Northern Territory electorate of Lingiari, with candidate Marion Scrymgour potentially flanked by two or three frontbenchers.

Under the First Nations Health policy, Labor has committed to training 500 additional health workers – though how much this will cost, or how it will be done has not been outlined.

Bulking up the workforce will help meet the growing needs of communities, according to the Opposition.

Labor has also committed to building 30 new dialysis units in the bush where the lifesaving service often does not exist.

While the total dollar figure for the infrastructure piece was not stated, Labor acknowledged remote communities – particularly in the Northern Territory – did not have the proper water supply to support dialysis centres.

To fix this, the party has committed $15m to improve water security in those areas.

A further $12m will be spent to double federal funding for rheumatic heart disease eradication. The money for preventing, screening, and treatment will include $1.5m for portable echo-cardio machines and training to support vital screening efforts.

Labor’s Luke Gosling also pledged $500,000 to deliver the Palmerston Scout Group its first dedicated facility since it was founded in the 1980s.

Mr Gosling, who faces a tough fight against the CLP in Solomon, said the new scout hall would benefit the whole community.

“I’m happy to announce this funding to finally give the scouts a proper home that meets their needs, and that will help them continue to build their relationships with the broader Palmerston community,” he said. “It also offers a space to other community groups, such as Reeling Veterans, who have also spent years without a dedicated home.

“The social benefits of this hall will be felt across Palmerston.”

There are 50 scouts in the Palmerston organisation.

Scout Leader Shane Pascoe-Bell said it was important scouts had a dedicated facility to use.

“It’ll give the scouts a sense of belonging and achievement, as the Palmerston Scout Section are the ones designing and will be involved in the project build, which teaches them new skills and adds to their personal growth and wellbeing,” Mr Pascoe-Bell said.