Rick Wilson (O'Connor, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I take this opportunity today to update the House on an Indigenous health issue in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, a major regional centre in my electorate of O'Connor.

In response to a series of allegations, the board of the Aboriginal corporation, NTPAC, decided to return government funding and start the process of dissolving the corporation. This has seen the loss of 11 staffing positions and left 500 clients unsure about where they can access equivalent services.

I am not going to discuss the allegations that led us to this point, as there is an investigation underway. What I am most concerned about—and have been working hard on—is making sure the maternity and family services previously provided by NTPAC are maintained in Kalgoorlie-Boulder and also that the 11 staff made redundant receive the entitlements they are entitled to.

I have been in constant contact with Minister Nash, who is responsible for the funding, and Minister Scullion, who is responsible for the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, which is winding up the organisation. I have invited both ministers to Kalgoorlie to meet with the stakeholders to ensure that an equivalent service is maintained.

On Friday, Minister Nash and Minster Scullion will meet with alternative service providers. There are other organisations in Kalgoorlie capable of taking over NTPAC's funding, and I have spoken to several. My preferred outcome is for one of them to continue NTPAC's services. Unfortunately, I cannot attend the meeting, as I have a prior engagement in Esperance. However, I will speak with both ministers after the meeting and will continue to fight to maintain this important service in Kalgoorlie-Boulder.