Today the Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, and the Hon Bill Shorten MP, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme and Minister for Government Services, officially opened the Hearing Australia centre in Marrickville, NSW.
The Prime Minister and Minister Shorten met with staff and clients and saw first-hand the services Hearing Australia delivers to the local community and to children and adults under the government's Community Service Obligations (CSO) Program.
The centre supports around 2,000 clients each year, with 35 per cent of clients eligible for government funded services under the CSO Program. The dedicated team also provides outreach services to Norfolk Island and to First Nations peoples in Redfern, La Perouse and the Northern Territory.
Prime Minister Albanese and Minister Shorten also received a demonstration of a hearing check as part of Hearing Australia's 'Hearing the Nation Tour' to recognise World Hearing Day this Friday 3 March. World Hearing Day encourages empathy and understanding of hearing loss, promotes social inclusion and raises awareness of protective measures to prevent avoidable hearing loss.
"The theme for World Hearing Day this year is "Ear and hearing care for all! Let's make it a reality," which is very apt for today's official opening of one of Hearing Australia's busiest centres," Minister Shorten said.
"Good hearing is essential to keep us connected to our friends, families and communities. It's important that anyone who has concerns about their hearing takes action and talks to their doctor or an audiologist to get a hearing check."
The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of the world-leading Australian Government Hearing Services Program (HSP), which continues to support thousands of pensioners, veterans and eligible adults across Australia every year.
The Prime Minister and Minister Shorten also spoke with Hearing Australia staff at the centre about the services provided to First Nations clients, as well as the organisation's commitment to improving the hearing health of First Nations communities across Australia.
