Media Releases

Jeanette Powell, the Member for Shepparton and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, will tonight address the Koori Employment Enterprises Graduation Dinner in Shepparton.

“The Coalition Government understands that education and training are keys for opening up employment opportunities and the range of benefits having a job brings,” says Mrs Powell.

“I am particularly pleased to be invited to celebrate the achievements of the 12 local Indigenous Victorians who have successfully completed a Certificate III level qualification in Aged Care/Home and Community Care and Disability and Asset Management.

“I understand 8 of today’s graduates have already secured employment with Rumbalara Elder Care Facility which is great news.

“I would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication that the students have all shown in getting to this point of graduation.

“Aged carers and carers for people with special needs are professionals that provide a valuable and important service to the community and willingly tackle what is a challenging role.

“The Certificate III that the graduates have successfully completed offers more than technical learning. It offers practical experience within the community in the form of a 3 week placement – an important component of the 6 month course that provides real life experience in the field.

“Lowering the entrenched high rates of Indigenous unemployment is an important focus of Victorian Government policy.

“The Victorian Government has adopted a 1% Indigenous employment target for the Victorian public service and is hopeful of improved rates of Indigenous participation in the private sector.

“Reconciliation Week starts on Sunday and it’s important to acknowledge that increasing employment opportunities for Indigenous Victorians is part of process of bringing our community closer together,” Mrs Powell said.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Jeanette Powell has reaffirmed the Victorian Government’s commitment to Closing the Gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Victorians.

“Almost a year ago the Premier, Deputy Premier, myself and our Opposition counterparts re-committed the Victorian Government to the Closing the Gap agenda by collectively signing the Closing the Gap Statement of Intent,” Mrs Powell said.

“Since coming to office the Victorian Coalition Government has driven a whole of government and bi-partisan approach to Closing the Gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Victorians.

“The Coalition Government has initiated the Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Inquiry, launched Wayaperri, a leadership and training initiative for young Indigenous Victorians, invested an additional $2.2
million for governance training, reinstated funding to Reconciliation Victoria and established Australia’s first Indigenous Honour Roll.

“Importantly we have also taken time to listen and to learn from the Aboriginal community in Victoria.

“Yesterday I hosted a roundtable lunch with Indigenous women in Melbourne to seek their understanding of the complex issues that have led to the very high over representation of Aboriginal children in the child protection system.

“Today I met with Indigenous and non-Indigenous students at the La Trobe University campus in Shepparton to discuss their collective response to Closing the Gap,” Mrs Powell said.

Minister for Community Services Mary Wooldridge today addressed the Aboriginal Youth Forum, which oversees a partnership between the government and the Aboriginal community to improve justice outcomes for Victorian Aboriginal people.

Also today the Minister for Health David Davis launched the - Health and wellbeing of Aboriginal Victorians: Victorian Population Health Survey 2008 Supplementary Report.

“The information in this report reinforces the Victorian Government’s determination to adopt a whole-of-government approach with a focus on services that work, value for money and engagement with Aboriginal people and communities,” Mrs Powell said.

“The Victorian Government understands that generations of Indigenous disadvantage has created the gap in our society and closing it will require a sustained, informed and rigorous policy commitment from the whole of government.”

The Victorian Government will release a strengthened Victorian Indigenous Affairs Framework, an Indigenous health strategy and an Indigenous Economic Development and Participation Strategy later this year.

Rumbalara will be one of two Aboriginal Services in the Hume region to share in nearly $1 million to support vulnerable aboriginal children and their families in the Hume region, Member for Shepparton and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Jeanette Powell said today.

Minister for Community Services Mary Wooldridge announced today for the first time, Aboriginal services across Victoria will be funded to provide both therapeutic out of home care for Aboriginal children who have been abused and/or neglected and support for young Aboriginal people transitioning from state care to independent living.

Mrs Powell said she has been pleased to work closely with the Minister for Community Services Mary Wooldridge on the importance of supporting vulnerable Aboriginal children and families.

“Sadly, child protection substantiations for indigenous children are unacceptably high with rates 10 times higher than for non-Indigenous children.

“The funding provided to Rumbalara is over four years and will enable them to provide much needed support to Aboriginal families and their children.

“This new approach provides local support for Aboriginal young people in times of great need which previously could only be accessed via mainstream services.

"The Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children’s Inquiry will report to government shortly and I look forward to continuing to work with Minister Wooldridge to implement the recommendations and improve protection and support of Aboriginal children,” Mrs Powell said.

Funding will also go towards capacity building and strengthening of the ACCOs and their workforces to enable them to effectively deliver culturally responsive, high quality services to Aboriginal children and families.

Minister Wooldridge said high quality, responsive and culturally appropriate care and support can make a significant difference in young lives and help break the inter-generational cycle of disadvantage.

“By providing direct, specific funding and capacity building support to ACCOs, we recognise that strong and vibrant Aboriginal service providers are a crucial part of our system and help us to best meet the needs of young people who have experienced abuse and neglect,” Ms Wooldridge said.

Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell is encouraging sporting clubs in the Shepparton district to apply for VicHealth grants of up to $2500 to assist with the operation of their club.
The latest round of VicHealth Active Club Grants will help sporting clubs purchase new equipment, conduct volunteer training, buy injury prevention equipment or purchase portable shade structures.
“I encourage any sporting club who thinks they could make good use of these funds to apply because it is very important we have modern, thriving sporting clubs for participants, organisers and officials,” Mrs Powell said.
“We want to encourage Victorians to be as active as possible and our local sporting clubs play a significant role in keeping us all physically active.”
“VicHealth have given out Active Club grants to more than 8800 sporting organisations in the past and it provides an excellent opportunity to ensure clubs are running effectively and safely, and have up-to-date training and equipment.”
The closing date for applications is December 8 and successful applicant will be notified early March 2012.
For more information contact VicHealth on 9667 1308 or go to www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/activeclub

State Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell is encouraging women aged 50-69 to have regular screening mammograms after BreastScreen Victoria found only half of women in this age group in Shepparton had a mammogram in 2008-10.
Mrs Powell was invited by the chief executive of BreastScreen Victoria Vicki Pridmore to the launch of the inaugural annual BreastScreen Victoria Electorate Report Card, at Parliament last week (Oct 27).
“I was pleased to attend this event with many of my colleagues because we need to raise awareness that the early detection of breast cancer through regular breast screens will save lives,” Mrs Powell said.
“In Shepparton, 50 per cent of the eligible female population had a breast screen between 2008-10. This was marked by BreastScreen Victoria as a fair result, and compared to the state average of 53.8 per cent,” Mrs Powell said.
“BreastScreen Victoria’s target rate for Victoria is 70 per cent.”
“I would encourage all women within this age group to book in for a mammogram. They are free and it is important that if a woman does have breast cancer, it is detected early as treatment is more likely to be successful.”
A fixed screening unit is located at Goulburn Valley Screening Centre, 104 Nixon St, Shepparton. Phone 13 20 50 for an appointment. No doctor’s referral is needed.

PIC - Members of Parliament including Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell attend the inaugural annual BreastScreen Victoria Electorate Report Card, at Parliament last week (Oct 27).

Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of a new mental health facility in Shepparton.
Shepparton was one of four locations in Victoria chosen as part of the national headspace initiative – a service that provides youth 12-25 years mental health care, drug and alcohol services and vocational support.
“I met with the executive director of GV Area Mental Health Bill Brown and several others involved in mental health care in my office last week regarding funding for the headspace program so I’m delighted Shepparton has been chosen as a location for this service,” Mrs Powell said.
“Mr Brown and his colleagues informed me of the need for greater mental health services in Shepparton as demand is outstripping existing resources.
“Shepparton currently has a long waiting list of people wanting access to mental health services so having the headspace program based here will give more youth an opportunity to access appropriate help when they need it.”
Mrs Powell said Shepparton currently had a good mental health program, provided by Goulburn Valley Health, including a youth early intervention team and Youth Justice Mental Health – services which are well-connected to alcohol and drug services and applicable to Indigenous youth living in the region.
“But given the high demand for mental health services, headspace will be a very welcome addition to the services currently available,” Mrs Powell said.
Dandenong, Ringwood/Knox and Ballarat also received headspace funding.
“I congratulate State Minister for Mental Health Mary Wooldridge for her commitment to this program and for investing a further $6-million to allow headspace sites and services to undertake capital upgrades to improve their delivery.

Member for Shepparton, Jeanette Powell is encouraging residents in the Shepparton District to attend the Shepparton Garden Expo which is being held as part of Mental Health Week.

Mental Health Week aims to activate, educate and engage Victorians about mental health through a week of interactive events across the state including an official launch, community festivals, art exhibitions, music, theatre and seminars.

Mrs Powell said today a number of events celebrating Mental Health Week are being held across Victoria with a Garden Expo being held at Emerald Bank this weekend.

“Mental Health Week provides the opportunity for the community to be more inclusive of people with a mental illness, Mrs Powell said.

"This is a time when we can focus on helping to reduce the stigma surrounding people with mental illness and be more inclusive of people with mental illness.

“The Shepparton Central Rotary Club has organised the Shepparton Garden Expo as part of Mental Health Week 2011.

“I understand all aspects of garden design, landscaping and outdoor living will be on display.

“This is a great opportunity to clear the mind, enjoy the fresh air while supporting Mental Health Week.

“I encourage residents of the district visit Emerald Bank this weekend and enjoy the many exhibits,” Mrs Powell said.

More than 150 specific Mental Health Week events will be held around Victoria. Details can be found at www.mentalhealthvic.org.au

Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell is encouraging people in the Shepparton district to buy daffodil merchandise for Daffodil day next Friday, August 26, to help raise money for the Cancer Council Victoria.

Mrs Powell congratulated the organisation on its 25th anniversary of Daffodil Day and encouraged people to support the initiative as the money raised was used for cancer research, prevention programs and support services.

“It is hard to find someone these days who isn’t affected directly or indirectly by cancer – whether it be someone who has had cancer themselves, or had a relative or friend suffer,” Mrs Powell said.

“It is so important there are ongoing funds for research and support to help prevent tragic deaths from this awful disease.

“If diagnosed early with proper treatment many people survive cancer to live long and meaningful lives.

“Daffodil Day is an opportunity for the community to help raise funds for more screening programs and to support the great work of the Cancer Council,” Mrs Powell said.

Some of the programs funded since Daffodil Day started in Australia 25 years ago include nationwide screening programs for breast and cervical cancer and the beginnings of a national screening program for bowel cancer.

Daffodil pins, pens, key rings and other merchandise will be sold at various locations throughout the Shepparton district in the lead up to and on Daffodil Day or people can order merchandise online at www.daffodilday.com.au.

Member for Shepparton, Jeanette Powell said the Goulburn Valley community will benefit from an extra $440 million in funding for public hospitals as a result the successful COAG outcome negotiated in Canberra earlier this year.

The Victorian Minister for Health, David Davis has announced Goulburn Valley Health will get a $1.5 million boost from the allocation to expand its services for people recovering after a hospital stay or after illness or injury.

Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell said this was great news for the local community.

“This funding will provide Goulburn Valley Health with funds for the refurbishment of eight subacute beds,” Mrs Powell said.

“This is a significant boost for health services at the hospital and will allow GV Health to improve its services for patient recovery.

“GV Health provides a large number of medical services right across the region and I am very pleased that the Coalition has committed these funds to support rehabilitation services at the hospital,” Mrs Powell said.

During a recent visit to the Alfred Hospital with the federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon, Mr Davis said the Victorian community would benefit from the deal negotiated by the Premier at COAG in February.

“The funding under the National Partnership Agreement on Improving Public Hospital Services will support the Victorian Government’s commitment to improved access to elective surgery, treatment in emergency departments and subacute care,” Mr Davis said.

Mr Davis said the agreement will fund the treatment for an extra 32,000 Victorian patients this year. Funding of $89.4 million will also flow from the agreement to new capital projects across 13 health services (20 campuses) that will increase elective surgery and emergency department capacity and improve patient care.

These projects will see the opening of 106 new hospital beds, including at least 60 short stay beds, six intensive care and additional high dependency beds. Emergency department treatment will be streamlined with 20 emergency department cubicles built plus additional recovery bays, theatres, procedure rooms and day surgery capacity.

Mr Davis said the Government has made a commitment to initiatives to reduce access blockages and free up capacity in hospital emergency departments, and to a more equitable approach to elective surgery for patients currently waiting for their surgery.

“This agreement also provides significant new investment in subacute services for people recovering after a hospital stay or after an illness or injury,” Mr Davis said.

$115.3 million of the sub acute capital investment will be in Melbourne and $61.6 million in country Victoria, this will provide services to an extra 3600 patients.

The subacute investment will provide 326 new sub acute beds, centre and home based care in Victoria over four years, including:

• $27 million for to build 30 acquired brain injury rehabilitation service and 2 independent living units at Caulfield.
• $25 million for 30 new subacute beds to support inpatient services and a community rehabilitation centre at Mornington.
• $13.5 million to build 24 subacute beds to support inpatient services at Echuca.

Mr Davis said 19 hospitals and health services would share in the subacute expansion.

Victoria welcomes this additional investment in its health services.

However, the Victorian Government continues to remain concerned that the Victorian community is not getting its fair share of Commonwealth funding. The outcome of last week’s Federal budget is another example of Victoria missing out.

Victoria received just $182.5 million for 15 projects under the Health and Hospitals Regional Priority Round, representing around 14 per cent of the $1,328.8 million that was invested in projects across Australia, well below Victoria’s population share of 25 per cent. This is a poor outcome compared with $446.4 million for New South Wales, $243 million for Tasmania (including $250 million for the Royal Hobart Hospital Redevelopment) and $163.9 million for Queensland.

Victoria will also miss out on funding for long-stay older patients, receiving only $33.2 million over three years under the National Partnership (NP) on financial assistance for long-stay older patients, representing a 12 per cent share of the available funding. The 2010-11 Federal Budget estimated that Victoria would receive $70 million over three years based on a per capita share.

The new funding share is based on a census of long stay older patients. Victoria has a relatively low number of long-stay older patients due to significant state investment to reduce length of stay.

Ian Gawler OAM will speak at Shepparton High School this Saturday (May 21) as part of a fundraising effort by Shepparton High School students, Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell said today.

Mr Gawler’s topic is Health Healing and Well Being with proceeds from the event going to support students from Shepparton High School complete volunteer work in Cambodia.

“This is a great opportunity to hear from one of Australia’s best known cancer survivors and to learn from his experiences,” Mrs Powell said.

“Ian Gawler’s message is an important one to the hundreds of thousands of Australians diagnosed with cancer and to their friends and family.

“People attending the fundraiser will also help the students of Shepparton High make a tangible difference in a country of immense need.

“Cambodia remains one of the poorest nations in the region and will require ongoing assistance to recover from years of war and oppression.

“Twenty nine students have volunteered to work on water sanitisation projects or teach English to orphaned teenagers and assist in school construction near the Cambodian city of Siem Reap,” Mrs Powell said.

The students have committed to earning $2000 each through part time work and to organise fundraising events to help with the total cost.

More information is available from Shepparton High School on 5821 4322 or email teacher Emlyn Cruickshank on cruickshank.emlyn.w@edumail.vic.gov.au.