By AIDAN KNIGHT

 

THE Latrobe Health Assembly is still picking up the pieces following the bombshell funding decision from the state government.

The Assembly will permanently close at the end of November, after the state government refused to reverse its funding cut announced in the wake of this year’s state budget.

As the Assembly winds down after almost a decade, the future is uncertain for the Latrobe Valley’s prospects of better health outcomes.

Partnerships built are also at risk of deteriorating, with the funding of other programs in the region cut as well.

Assembly Chairperson, Tanya Rong told the Express she was deeply disappointed by the government’s decision to not reconsider the cut, and also how sudden the initial slashing was.

Ms Rong said there was also no discussion for a roadmap to continue the existing programs the Assembly has developed for the betterment of the community.

“The closure of the Latrobe Health Assembly marks the loss of a unique community-driven model that prioritised prevention and early intervention,” Ms Rong said.

“Without investment in preventative health, the community is more vulnerable to avoidable health challenges. The long-term cost of inaction will be far greater than the cost of prevention in both dollars and lives.

“We are not just losing an organisation, we are losing a community of people who are united and dedicated to reducing health disparities in this region. There is nothing that replaces the role of the Assembly in Latrobe Valley.”

The Assembly has played a crucial part in more than 200 programs and initiatives over its eight-year lifespan in the wake of the Hazelwood mine fire.

The Assembly has turned its online presence post-closure to “shining a light on the community projects that were and ones that could have been” before the defunding. There is hope that some of these programs will be absorbed and adopted by other organisations, as much of the groundwork has been done thanks to the commitment of the Assembly.

Despite passionate community advocacy, the campaign to save the LHA failed to sway the state government.

A protest outside Parliament last month drew only a handful of people, though local Nationals MPs, Martin Cameron and Melina Bath both attended.

More than 1200 volunteers gave their time to the LHA alongside paid staff, making it one of the most locally involved health bodies of its kind in the state.

The Latrobe Health Assembly was formed in June 2017, and will cease to exist by November 30 this year.