Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

(i) the importance of local, grass roots delivery of renal services in central Australia for closing the gap in Aboriginal health outcomes,

(ii) the vital work of Western Desert Dialysis in improving the quality of life for people with end stage renal failure and supporting other renal services in the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia, and

(iii) that the Government will cease funding Western Desert Dialysis as of December 2011, despite its success as a recipient of Commonwealth funding;

(b) draws attention to the previous motion supported by the Senate on 7 July 2011, which acknowledged the serious nature of kidney health problems for Aboriginal people in central Australia and called on the Government to show leadership and dedicate resources to implement the Central Australian Renal Services Action Plan; and

(c) calls on the Government to:

(i) take leadership on renal issues in central Australia,

(ii) implement the Central Australian Renal Services Action Plan, and

(iii) continue to fund Western Desert Dialysis, through the provision of a 3 year agreement.