Legislative Council Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1) 52 1 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Men in Community Program MEN IN COMMUNITY PROGRAM The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS Legislative Council MEN IN COMMUNITY PROGRAM The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:10): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for State/Local Government Relations, representing the Minister for Health, a question regarding the Men and Community Program. Leave granted. The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS Legislative Council The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS: I have recently become aware of the Men in Community Program, which has been successfully running in rural areas of the state for some time. Men in Community has been funded by the commonwealth government for rural areas declared for exceptional circumstances funding and has been administered by the state Department of Health in cooperation with Men's Health SA. This program has been proven to deliver relevant programs to people who do not usually access help until it is critical. It covers many issues from communication between men and women to physical and mental health. It also runs programs specifically for young men and other programs encouraging men to engage in more exercise. I understand that Men in Community has been very successful in getting rural men to attend and participate. It is anticipated that 1,500 men will have taken part in the program by the time funding runs out on 30 June 2011. My questions are: 1.	Given the success of the Men in Community Program, will the minister consider funding this initiative once the federal exceptional circumstances funding expires on 30 June next year? 2.	In doing so, will the minister also examine the continuing utilisation of the skills of the Men in Community presenters who have experienced life in small to medium-sized rural communities? The Hon. G.E. GAGO Legislative Council Minister for State/Local Government Relations Minister for the Status of Women Minister for Consumer Affairs Minister for Government Enterprises Minister for the City of Adelaide The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (15:12): I thank the honourable member for his most important questions, and I will refer those to the Minister for Health and bring back a response.