Tuesday, 27 May 2025

Anam Cara House, Geelong

Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (19:22): (1644) My adjournment matter this evening is for the attention of the Premier. The action that I seek is for the Premier, as a matter of priority, to visit Anam Cara House, Geelong. I have been to Anam Cara on several occasions and seen firsthand the delivery of high-quality and compassionate care to those with a life-limiting illness. The dedicated staff who provide care and support to individuals who require palliative care or respite are exemplary. This facility has been built by the Geelong community for the Geelong community. Those staff that deliver that support and care extend beyond the healthcare professionals; they are the staff that deliver the respite programs to patients and admin and that provide assistance and support to families at a very difficult time. The staff’s commitment and their ability to deliver high-quality care in such an environment should be commended and supported, not ignored by government.

Anam Cara already works extensively with a range of health services within the Geelong region. When I recently visited with the Leader of the Opposition, we heard firsthand from community members who had not only supported the organisation through their generous philanthropy but also their ongoing commitment to have such a facility that would be able to cater for the needs of the Geelong community. I have on a number of occasions requested that funding be provided, including through this year’s budget. However, that very disappointingly was not forthcoming from the government. It has not been for large amounts of money. A couple of million dollars is not a lot to ask for when it can go a long way. It can have a massive impact on the quality of services that can be provided for someone who is dying and provide support and greater capacity to the existing public health system.

Premier, as has already been requested on a number of occasions by Anam Cara, the invitation for you to visit the facility is again being extended. The budget papers are titled Focused on What Matters Most. Well, if that is the case, then do not ignore these repeated requests. Dying with dignity matters, and I urge you to visit Anam Cara as a matter of priority.