Aboriginal Health

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (14:47): My question is to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing. Can the minister state what the Marshall Liberal government is doing to respond to the Aboriginal Health Council's concerns that the government's cuts to sexual health funding may trigger increased syphilis outbreaks in remote South Australia?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:48): The South Australian government will engage with the Aboriginal Health Council and other service providers in this area in terms of programs going forward. The fact of the matter is that as well as core funding—stable, ongoing funding—there will always be investments in relation to significant events. Certainly, outbreaks like the syphilis outbreaks do need to be monitored and the response needs to be resourced. My department will be meeting with service providers to make sure that we target effectively the resources being put into public health.