Health Consumers Alliance

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (14:30): My question is to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Why is the government silencing the independent voice of patients in our health system through its removal of all funding to the Health Consumers Alliance?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:30): Through you, Mr President, I—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! I can't hear the minister.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: The government is withdrawing central funding from the Health Consumers Alliance. The fact of the matter is that the Health Consumers Alliance already receives project funding from local health networks, and the government believes that, as we devolve management of health services to the regions, it also makes sense to devolve consumer engagement to the regions.

Statewide collaboration in relation to consumer engagement will be driven by the networks. Health Consumers Alliance has expertise in this area and, I believe, is well placed to undertake funded project work for local health networks. The alliance is a membership organisation and yet less than 1 per cent of its income comes from its membership fees. I do not believe it is healthy for a consumer advocacy body to be so reliant on centralised funding. I trust that the changes will promote accountability and strengthen the consumer voice.