The following media release from Wunjuada Aboriginal Corporation Cherbourg Queenslandhas been forwarded to the ISX by Georgina Gartland.
MEDIA RELEASE
GILLIARD GOVERNMENT STOPS FUNDING TO VITAL ALCOHOL & DRUG REHABILITATION SERVICE IN CHERBOURG ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY!!!
- Commonwealth Government in Breach of Agreement with Wunjuada Aboriginal Corporation
- 3yr Head Agreement signed between both parties 27th July 2011
- The Commonwealth not honouring release of monies on 5th April 2012
- The Commonwealth ceased funding via teleconference 27th April 2012 and not in writing according to the Agreement between both parties
- Wages have not been paid to 9 Staff for past 3 weeks
- Service providers to Wunjuada will not get paid due to lack of monies per the funding agreement
- 5 out of 9 Staff working voluntary due to Duty of Care to 6 Clients/Residents currently at the rehabilitation centre.
- Local community organisations of Cherbourg continuing their partnerships with Management for Clients/Residents with Mental Health, Alcohol & Drug, Relationship
counselling, Budgeting, Basic Life Skills, Health Nutrition to support Clients
- Referrals for 3 more clients are on hold until further notice from Management of Wunjuada
- Vital service to local community, surrounding districts and also statewide for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people
- 3 Indigenous rehabilitation services across Queensland have been closed down in the last 8 months??
- Aboriginal Hostels Limited have not released 3 lots of quarterly payments to Wunjuada Aboriginal Corporation also without prior written notification
- QAIHC Queensland Aboriginal & Islander Health Council (Peak Body) does not support Wunjuada Aboriginal Corporation which they are funded for by the government
Wunjuada Aboriginal Corporation for Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Service hereby calls upon The Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the Department of Health and Ageing to continue to perform its obligations under the Funding Agreement dated 27th July 2011 to release funds which were due on 5th April 2012 as no consultations from the Commonwealth Government has been given prior to funds being frozen.
