Thursday, 20 February 2025

Ministers statements: health services

Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services) (14:29): I rise to update the house on the Allan Labor government’s commitment to supporting the health and wellbeing of all Victorians regardless of their background. When people experience racism and discrimination it contributes to poor health outcomes. It is a health issue. We know that here in Victoria Aboriginal Victorians, people from culturally diverse communities, our LGBTIQ+ community, people living with disability – each of these groups of people continue to face ongoing barriers to getting the care that they need. That is why we are committed to delivering culturally safe care, because hate has no place in Victoria.

We know, for example, that for too long governments thought that they knew what was best for Aboriginal Victorians when it came to their health care. But we are committed to putting Aboriginal health in Aboriginal hands – a policy position, I might say, that is not supported by those on the other side. That is why we are investing in the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The minister will resume her seat. The member for Broadmeadows can leave the chamber for an hour.

Member for Broadmeadows withdrew from chamber.

Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, for the member on her feet, under standing order 119, the comments are unbecoming because they are seeking to impugn members’ character. They are completely unparliamentary and disrespectful, and I would ask you to ask her to desist.

The SPEAKER: Order! The minister did not refer to any particular members.

Mary-Anne THOMAS: It is well known that those on the other side do not support truth, treaty and self-determination. That is a fact. That is why we are investing in VACCHO to deliver Australia’s first cultural safety accreditation scheme in public hospitals, ensuring that Aboriginal Victorians can access the health care they need free of racism and discrimination.

Victoria is proudly a culturally diverse state, and we are working very hard to make sure that there is zero tolerance in our healthcare system for prejudice directed at any person. We are listening to voices from all backgrounds, faiths and cultures and taking action to ensure that our hospitals are places of safety for all Victorians. Unlike some in this chamber who think that this is part of a woke agenda, we believe that it is core government business, and we will ensure that Victoria is a safe place for people from – (Time expired)