With First Nations vaccination rates lagging across Western Australia and the state’s  largest remote First Nations community now in lockdown, The Greens have today again called on the WA Government to lift vaccination rates for First Nations people.

The Greens (WA) are committed to ensuring everyone is able to access health supports when they need it.  

The Greens (WA) are calling on the WA State Government to commit to providing people with more support before opening up Western Australia to interstate and international visitors.

The 11 point plan, announced by Australian Greens Health Spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John and Greens (WA) Health Spokesperson Brad Pettitt MLC, will ensure everyone is able to access prevention measures, and the financial and health supports they need to recover from COVID-19. 

Decisions made by successive governments have resulted in health inequality. Whether you’ve been here for 5 years, 5 generations or 5 000 generations, everyone should enjoy the same access to healthcare in this country. 

COVID-19 put a spotlight on the fact that many First Nations communities need better access to health services, and the health centres they rely on need more resources to empower First Nations people to get what they need to be and stay well. 

The Australian Greens have today announced their plan to make Telehealth a permanent part of our healthcare system, investing $772 million over the forward estimates into our healthcare system.

Telehealth has been widely available since March 2020 and has enabled many people to access healthcare on the phone or by video conference. The changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule that enabled these appointments are set to end on 31st December 2021.

Greens spokesperson on Health and Mental Health Senator Jordon Steele-John said:

Greens release balance of power plan to abolish private health insurance rebate, blitz waiting lists post-covid, and deliver 50/50 funding growth for Public Hospitals

Greens Leader Adam Bandt, Greens Education spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi and Greens Health spokesperson Jordon Steele-John have joined teachers and parents calling for a national COVID Safe Schools action plan as students return to schools in NSW, Victoria and the ACT and public health restrictions are eased across the country.

The Greens have today announced that in balance of power after the next election, they will push to tackle the growing mental health crisis in Australia by making mental healthcare free and unlimited for everyone who needs it as part of Medicare.

The plan, which will create universal, unlimited and available mental healthcare through Medicare, will be funded by taxing billionaires and big corporations making big profits.

Our plan will ensure everyone can access mental healthcare, when they need it, not when they can afford it.

The second First Nations person to die from COVID-19 has passed away in Dubbo Hospital, this comes after an Aboriginal man in his 50’s died from COVID-19 on August 30.

Comment from Senator Lidia Thorpe, Australian Greens First Nations Spokesperson
“First Nations people have the right to live their lives without the negligent and incompetent Morrison government exposing them to disease,” said DjabWurrung, Gunnai and Gunditjmara Senator for Victoria Lidia Thorpe.

Dear Prime Minister

I write to request that the forthcoming National Cabinet meeting set additional national vaccination targets for First Nations people, people with disabilities and other at-risk groups as part of the National Plan.

The National Cabinet’s ‘reopening’ strategy envisages the substantial easing of restrictions when 80% vaccination rates are achieved. However, this is currently only 80% of the ‘eligible population’, defined as over 16 year olds, and it seems to permit easing of restrictions even if at-risk groups remain largely unvaccinated.

The Greens say that the Government's approach to vaccinating First Nations people, disabled people and aged care residents, has been unacceptable and once again led to a tragic death that could have been prevented if adequate planning and support for experts was given when it was asked for.

Communities should not have to be begging for support, Greens spokesperson on Health Senator Rachel Siewert said.