Minister visits Bundaberg hospitals and schools

Minister for Indigenous Affairs Nigel Scullion and Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt have today visited local hospitals and schools to hear about some of the work that is being done to improve health and education outcomes for indigenous Australians.

Senator Scullion and Mr Pitt toured the construction site of the new Indigenous Wellbeing Centre (IWC) in Bundaberg. The IWC is a community based provider of a range of health, community and family services across the Wide Bay Burnett region.

“Co-locating all of IWC’s services in one central hub will offer local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people holistic support,” Senator Scullion said.

“Having viewed the plans, I expect this impressive facility will play a big role in closing the health gap between indigenous and non-indigenous people in Hinkler.”

The pair also visited Bundaberg East State School, where a civic reception was held with Brisbane Lions AFL players Daniel Rich and Simon Black.

The reception is part of a two day Community Camp being held right across the region, including events such as an indigenous Auskick clinic at Bundaberg PCYC.

“Bundaberg East State School was devastated by the 2013 floods, and it’s great to see Brisbane Lions players and AFL Wide Bay taking an interest in their recovery,” Mr Pitt said.

Earlier in the day, Senator Scullion and Mr Pitt were joined by Member for Dawson George Christensen and Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital to learn more about the next stage of development in central Queensland.

Senator Scullion and the Nationals MPs met with Mater staff and viewed plans for patient accommodation units in Bundaberg and Rockhampton, two additional operating rooms in Rockhampton, as well as two additional operating rooms and one procedure room in Mackay.

MEDIA CONTACT: Larine Statham (Keith Pitt) 0427 653 814
Rosa Gagliardi (traveling with Minister Scullion) 0418 890 787