Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas announced a $103 million “boost” to Victoria’s local public health units. Instead, they’ve been hit with a 40 per cent budget cut and face job losses.
The Andrews government has slashed future funding for one of its most significant pandemic-era reforms: the local public health units established at the height of the COVID-19 crisis to rebuild the state’s public health capacity and defence against infectious disease.
The Public Health Association of Australia said the funding decision was short-sighted and disappointing, while senior figures within Victoria’s Department of Health, speaking anonymously to discuss budget matters, said it sent a terrible message about the importance of public and preventative health.“This is just the wrong direction in terms of investing in public health in Victoria,” said the association’s chief executive, Terry Slevin.
The formation of the units, which the Andrews government modelled on the decentralised public health structures of NSW and Queensland, shifted pandemic response teams out of the heath department’s Lonsdale Street headquarters and into local hospital networks. The change contributed to Victoria’s improved management of COVID-19 outbreaks in 2021.
“Have we learned nothing about the value of these units?” she said. “When you have outbreaks, you can’t manage this stuff from Lonsdale Street. It is the wrong time to be cutting the budgets of these programs.”
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Prime Minister announces $2 billion public housing boost | 7NEWSThe prime minister this morning announced thousands of new homes will be created for public housing tenants with state and territory governments set to receive a $2 billion boost within the next fortnight. 7NEWS
Read more »
Qld Opposition Leader blasts Palaszczuk over 'broken health system'Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has blasted Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk over a 'broken health system' during his speech at the Liberal Party's federal council meeting.
Read more »
‘It’s a joke’: Why young vaping addicts say regulations won’t workE-cigarettes have ignited a health crisis among teens. Despite crackdowns by government and schools, kids are finding ways to sidestep restrictions.
Read more »
Kate Middleton's adorable response to burping babyKate Middleton has been hilariously interrupted while speaking at an event in the UK by a baby who let out a surprise burp, prompting the royal to give an adorable reply.
Read more »