The Australian Government is investing in the health of First Nations Australians with the opening of a new Victorian Aboriginal Health Service in Melbourne's north.
In an area with a growing First Nations population, the VAHS South Morang clinic will provide quality, safe and culturally appropriate care for First Nations Australians all under one roof.
The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) received $2 million to fit out and relocate to a larger fit-for-purpose premises in South Morang, to better enable the provision of specialised therapeutic cultural and clinical spaces for women and children across Melbourne's northern suburbs.
VAHS received a further $600,000 for the purchase and fit-out of two vans to provide primary and dental health mobile outreach services.
The investment is part of the Albanese Labor Government's commitment to support First Nations health infrastructure projects through more than $164 million over four years, announced in the October 2022 Budget.
The VAHS South Morang clinic is expected to be used by more than 3,500 people in the coming years - a third of them anticipated to be young families. The clinic will support primary health care as well as additional specialised therapeutic cultural and clinical spaces for women and children.
This investment is integral to delivering on the National Agreement on Closing the Gap Priority Reform Two: Building the community-controlled sector.
Quotes attributable to the Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, Ged Kearney MP:
"We are committed to Closing the Gap and improving the health of First Nations Australians. This investment in Melbourne's north will go a long way to supporting the health of its growing First Nations community.
"We know that our health services need to be culturally sensitive and appropriate to the community they serve. VAHS has a strong record in providing these services and building stronger, healthier communities."
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:
"The Albanese Government is delighted to be able to support this VAHS service expansion to better meet the health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Melbourne's north.
"Empowering First Nations organisations is central to our commitments under Closing the Gap. When Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a genuine say in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect them, better life outcomes are achieved."
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles MP:
"The new Victorian Aboriginal Health Service will deliver a range of important services not only in South Morang but across the northern suburbs through the additional mobile van outreach service.
"All Australians deserve equitable access to healthcare, and I'm pleased First Nations members in my community will have access to these expanded services."
Senator Jana Stewart, Mutthi Mutthi and Wamba Wamba, Senator for Victoria
"VAHS has provided deadly health services to Aboriginal families and children in Victoria for 50 years. Our $2.6 million investment will help ensure women and children in Melbourne's North and Aboriginal communities in regional areas can access the quality healthcare they deserve.
I'm excited to be part of a government that is investing in Aboriginal services who have the solutions to their unique community needs."
