LABOR TO SUPPORT TURNING POINT
A Shorten Labor Government will invest $13.5 million to deliver Turning Point’s early intervention programs to an additional 20,000 Australians struggling with addiction.
This election will be a choice between a united Shorten Labor Government which will reverse the Liberals’ health cuts and give our community the health care it deserves, or more of the Liberals’ cuts and chaos.
Turning Point is a national addiction treatment centre, providing help to Australians all around the country who have problems with alcohol, drugs or gambling.
As part of a global network of treatment and rehabilitation centres, Turning Point also provides world-leading education and research in addiction issues.
Labor knows that drug, alcohol and gambling addiction is a real issue in communities all around Australia.
Our investment will expand internationally proven online and telehealth early intervention programs to an additional 20,000 Australians.
In particular, Labor will invest to roll out Turning Point’s ‘Ready 2 Change’ telephone-based program around Australia.
Currently funded by the Victorian Government, this program is limited to Victorian residents.
A Shorten Labor Government will ensure that all Australians have access to world-leading addiction support.
The expansion of online and telephone counselling services is particularly important for regional and rural Australians – who have less direct access to face-to-face support.
Labor’s investment is in stark contrast to the cuts inflicted on the sector by the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government.
The Government’s Drug and Alcohol Program, which provides federal grants for alcohol and other drug prevention and treatment programs, has not been indexed under the Coalition Government – representing a cut in real terms.
As a result alcohol and other drug treatment services have not kept pace with demand.
This election is a choice between Labor’s plan for a fair go for all Australians or bigger tax loopholes for the top end of town under the Liberals.
We can afford to spend more on important programs like Turning Point’s because we’ve made the tough decisions to make multinationals pay their fair share and close unfair tax loopholes.
A Shorten Labor Government will always invest more on health and addiction services than the Liberals.
If you want better hospitals and health service not more cuts – vote Labor.
If you want a fair go for all Australians – vote Labor.
THURSDAY, 16 MAY 2019