WA govt must end border squabble over Outback dialysis access – Greens
Thursday, 5 November 2009
The Australian Greens are calling on the WA government to end its border squabble with the Northern Territory to ensure outback patients get immediate access to dialysis treatment.
“I am particularly distressed to learn that one of Australia’s best known Aboriginal artists, Patrick Tjungurrayi, finds himself caught in the middle of this impasse,” said Australian Greens Health spokesperson, Senator Rachel Siewert.
“We understand at least another eight people have been refused treatment in Alice Springs since the NT closed its borders to all new interstate patients.
"The WA and federal health ministers’ must intervene to fix this problem immediately. We cannot allow a dispute between states and territories over resources lead to Patrick’s health deteriorating," Senator Siewert said.
“I find it incredible that when all these governments have signed up to Close the Gap that these people are being excluded from treatment.
“I urge the WA Health Minister Dr Kim Hames to treat this issue as a matter of urgency, so Patrick and others aren’t forced to travel 2400 kilometres to Perth for medical treatment.
“We also want to see the Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon put an end to the ban, and lead a joint state/territory and federal planning effort to ensure there are facilities to meet the growing demand for renal services – and agreements in place to share resources across jurisdictions," Senator Siewert said.
Media Contact: Fernando de Freitas 0417 174 302
Patrick last year won the inaugural WA Indigenous Art Award, Australia’s richest Indigenous art prize. The Kiwirrkurra painting (below) was bought by Kerry Stokes for $340,000 at an auction to fund the building of the Kintore Dialysis machine. Permission to use the painting has been granted.
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Fernando de Freitas
Media Advisor
Australian Greens
Suite S1.36 Parliament House, Canberra ACT
P: 02 6277 3467 | M: 0417 174 302
Fernando.defreitas
www.GreensMPs.org.au
