1128. Hon ALISON XAMON to the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to page 312 of the WA state budget 2020–21 and “Election Commitments—Continuation of Ear Bus Program”.
(1) Why has no funding been allocated for this program in the forward estimates?
(2) Will the McGowan government commit to funding this program beyond 2021?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
Hon ALANNA CLOHESY replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) The Earbus program was an election commitment for a grant over three years to the Earbus Foundation in 2017. This election commitment has been met. A further $1.193 million has been allocated for 2020–21.
(2)–(3) An independent evaluation is required to determine the effectiveness of the current ear health service provision and consider the recommendations of the Office of the Auditor General’s report into Aboriginal ear health. This will inform future funding decisions.