Thursday, 30 October 2025

 Natalie HUTCHINS (Sydenham – Minister for Government Services, Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, Minister for Women) (09:51): We have seen reports this week that have attacked the good work of the staff at St Vincent’s Hospital. St Vincent’s have done an amazing, remarkable job to close the gap in category 3 wait times. Before the policy was introduced in April 2024 the average time to be seen at St Vincent’s ED for category 3 patients was significantly longer for First Nations patients – on average 109 minutes longer than other patients. The difference between First Nations patients and other patients is now just four minutes. This is thanks to the incredible staff at St Vincent’s. Emergency departments will always prioritise the sickest patients to ensure Victorians get the care they need. I want to thank the dedicated staff and compassionate workers at St Vincent’s Hospital.

Attempts to link this work with treaty legislation are both disingenuous and deliberately divisive. The only link between the bill before us today and the policy that is in this bill is the requirement for consultation with Gellung Warl on appointments to health boards. The purpose of this is to strengthen Aboriginal leadership on government boards. If those opposite oppose strengthening Aboriginal leadership in health care, then they should say so. We will not apologise for putting our support behind the initiatives that help First Peoples.