Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for his question. This government has committed $16½ million over four years to prevent, screen for and treat trachoma in Indigenous communities in New South Wales, the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia through the Closing the Gap—improving eye and ear health services for Indigenous Australians measure.

Trachoma is a preventable bacterial eye infection that is a leading cause of blindness, particularly for people living in remote communities. This funding will renew the agreement between the Commonwealth government and the New South Wales, Northern Territory, South Australian and Western Australian governments for additional trachoma screening, treatment, management and prevention activities. Blindness rates among Indigenous people are more than six times higher than the rest of the population, and trachoma is a contributing factor. The Australian government is a signatory to the World Health Organization resolution to eliminate blinding trachoma by the year 2020. Trachoma infections can impact on the ability of Indigenous children to receive a good education. Repeated trachoma infections can cause blindness in adults, which impacts on the ability of Indigenous adults to gain meaningful employment.

This funding will support at-risk communities through screening and treatment activities and working with local primary-care services, Aboriginal healthcare professionals and teachers to help stop the spread of trachoma through prevention programs. For example, the funding will help build on the Northern Territory's Clean Faces, Strong Eyes campaign, which has successfully encouraged face washing to prevent the spread of trachoma in children.

I would also like to acknowledge the efforts in this area through the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust. Just yesterday, I met with Major General the Hon. Michael Jeffery, who chairs the board of the trust, and heard about the work that he is overseeing in this area. This government remains committed to ensuring that we lower the incidence of trachoma.