Publish Date : 02-Jul-2014
Minister for Health David Davis has announced the Victorian Coalition Government, in partnership with the Commonwealth Government, will provide $625,000 for the National Centre for Farmer Health in Hamilton.
"The Napthine Government is proud to be able to deliver $250,000 to the centre, supporting the health and wellbeing of farmers across Australia," Mr Davis said.
Mr Davis welcomed the announcement by federal Assistant Minister for Health Fiona Nash and federal Member for Wannon Dan Tehan that the Commonwealth will contribute $375,000 to the centre.
"Our appeal to the former federal Labor health minister, Tanya Plibersek, for a 1:2 funding arrangement with the Commonwealth fell on deaf ears," Mr Davis said.
"Labor cried crocodile tears for the centre while refusing to fund it. Predictably, state Labor MPs remained silent.
"It is Coalition governments, state and federal, that have provided support for the centre.
"I thank the Commonwealth, and I acknowledge the hard work of Victorian Coalition MPs David Koch, David O'Brien, Simon Ramsay and Hugh Delahunty, the Liberal candidate for Ripon, Louise Staley, and Mr Tehan, who all advocated for this outcome."
"This is a welcome step and we will be working with the centre to develop a sustainable funding solution for the long term."
Mr Davis said the centre has undertaken important work across states and territories nationally.
"Farmers are at risk of poor health, with above average rates of premature morbidity and mortality through heart disease, cancer and suicide."
"By working directly with farmers, providing education and training, the centre is actively reducing the incidence of chronic diseases among farmers across rural Victoria and interstate," Mr Davis said.
Go to previous page
