By AIDAN KNIGHT

 

IN response to the sudden funding cut to the Latrobe Health Assembly, a collective protest was staged outside the Assembly offices along Commercial Road, Morwell last Thursday morning.

The collation of community groups joined forces to oppose the state government’s decision to cease the allocation of health sector funds to the Assembly, which they felt provided resources and research crucial to effective health prevention.

The demonstration included representatives from Gippsland Multicultural Association Services, Voices of The Valley, United Muslim Sisters of Latrobe, The Wellbeing and Emotional Support (WES), and was headed by the Nannas For Action group, an organisation previously making headlines for their strong stance against nuclear power in the Latrobe Valley.

The same group are part of planning another protest on the steps of Victorian State Parliament today (Wednesday, June 18), but representative Linda Reid told the Express she was hopeful the issue would be sorted in time before needing to make the trip downtown.

This optimistic outlook is an indication of the organisation’s self-described ability to ‘work with the government, not against it’, an ethos that is echoed by the Assembly itself.

“The health minister has overlooked an important program,” Ms Reid said, emphasising their support of the Assembly and the work it does, and has for the years since it was formulated out of the ashes of the Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry.

The Assembly has worked to improve Latrobe City’s public health. The municipality is an area where residents are 38 per cent more likely to experience mental health conditions. Latrobe Valley is also one of the highest-ranking areas in the state for the rate of chronic conditions such as asthma, arthritis, cancer and heart disease across Victoria. This puts the area on par with Shepperton and Ballarat as one of the poorest health LGA’s in the state.

Both Latrobe Health Assembly and Nannas For Action told said there had been positive correspondence with Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing, even stating that she’s done work “behind the scenes to work for the best outcome possible for the Assembly and the state government to which she ultimately answers to.”

Ms Shing acknowledged the work of the Assembly.

“The positive changes and connections it has delivered for people, organisation and the communities across the Valley have been significant, particularly as part of the long-term transition and the growth that’s happening across the region.”

Latrobe Health Assembly Executive Officer, Ellen-Jane Browne was humbled by the efforts of the combined groups, and the positive attitude they had on the issue.

“To see this kind of demonstration organised independently of us is just indicative of the community’s concern, with the respect of governmental decisions, the disappointment shared by the Assembly and the community it serves,” she said.

“And while we’re encouraged, we’re not at all surprised that the community would be feeling this way.”

Ms Browne reports that the Latrobe Health Assembly’s annual budget of $4.5 million is 0.00016 per cent of the state health budget, suggesting that it is one of the more minimal cuts in the allocated funds in the sector, that they think will have a drastic effect on the Latrobe Valley communities.

Assembly Chair Tanya Rong expanded on this, stating “Latrobe Regional Hospital’s budget is $450m a year, we’re not even one per cent of that.”

“The Assembly’s work aims to prevent the systemic issues, whether physical, environmental or mental health issues, so that LRH doesn’t need to treat people.”

“You’ll never have a big enough hospital if you don’t invest in prevention.”

The Latrobe Health Assembly was, prior to the funding cut announcement, set for review in 2028, which was a notional date put forth by the department. Ms. Shing says “As part of ongoing discussions with the Assembly’s leadership and the Health Minister I’m continuing to advocate for any and all avenues for further support that may be available to enable its good work to continue.”