Nationals success for CHS legislation

Source: Bill Sykes Media Release - 12.12.08

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes has welcomed legislation passed through both houses in State Parliament early this month to resolve the current crisis affecting Community Health Services (CHS) across the state.

Mr Sykes stated, “The Nationals have been on the front foot with this issue since it first came to our attention early this year. I’ve worked with rural community health services to lobby the Government and apply media pressure to get action from the Brumby Government.”

A move by the ATO in March 2008 to remove tax concession entitlements for CHS’s put the on going delivery of vital health care services at risk, jeopardising staffing levels and the provision of specialised programs. Over 37 community health centres have had to operate throughout the year uncertain of their future.

The Brumby Government was first made aware of this issue in 2005.

The new legislation will remove the state government’s control of board appointments and reinstate the charitable tax status of community health centres statewide thereby solving the problem.

“I am pleased with the outcome of this issue,” Bill Sykes said, “however inaction for over 2 years by the Brumby Government caused this issue to get near crisis point. This should never have happened and I applaud the ongoing delivery of services by CHS despite these additional pressures.”

“We may have won this battle,” Bill Sykes said, “but much more needs to be done to address the many inequities in the Brumby Labor Government’s policies which results in country Victorians being denied access to health services taken for granted in Melbourne.”