Dispute over proposed parkland near planned Perth children's hospice in Swanbourne
A proposal to transform a "dust bowl" into an oasis for terminally ill children has drawn the ire of some who want the site to remain in local government hands.
The planned park is to be located on an A-class reserve near Western Australia's new $34 million children's hospice in Swanbourne, which is due to open at the end of the year.
The project is being led by the Perth Children's Hospital Foundation and funded by community donors.
An artist's impression of the planned Perth children's hospice in Swanbourne.
(
Supplied: Perth Children's Hospital Foundation
)
Designs are yet to be finalised, but will include the planting of 10,000 plants, boosting tree canopy at the site to 62 per cent.
But not everyone is on board.
The Allen Park site in Swanbourne earmarked for the Perth children's hospice.
(
Supplied: Perth Children's Hospital Foundation
)
Council plans own park
In March, the City of Nedlands made a submission objecting to the proposed parkland, saying it wanted to develop and maintain the area itself.
Mayor Fiona Argyle said on Monday the council was best-placed to manage the development.
Fiona Argyle said council would this week vote on a proposal to build its own nature parkland.
(
ABC News: Courtney Withers
)
"Taking Class A reserve from the community into a private foundation does not work," she told ABC Radio Perth.
"This has a Whadjuk Noongar trail running through it, a 40,000-year Aboriginal trail, it is the only public access to the beach, and it is for all people."
Cr Argyle said council would this week vote on a proposal to build a nature parkland of its own at the site.
"We want to be friends, we have the support of all the community in the area, and the community don't want to lose this park," she said.
"
Whether you are dying, whether you are a sick child, whether you are a healthy child … this land is for all people.
"
A report estimates the council's project cost to be about $400,000.
The report suggests public donations could contribute to landscaping and ongoing maintenance costs.
Hospice park 'open to all'
Perth Children's Hospital Foundation chairman Ian Campbell said the council had "totally neglected" the reserve for decades and had missed its chance to develop it.
"We didn't really want the children, many of whom will be in the last days of their lives, looking out across that dust bowl," he said.
An architect's concept of the Perth children's hospice project.
(
Supplied: Perth Children's Hospital Foundation
)
Mr Campbell said the foundation proposed to fund the construction of the park, and suggested to council it could pick up the responsibility of maintaining it.
"[The city] said 'we have no budget to maintain it'," he told ABC Radio Perth.
"This land has been in their hands for 20 years and it is a disgrace. It hasn't been looked after at all.
"The government has lost faith in the City of Nedlands, and we've lost faith in them."
He said the park would be open to the public at all times, not just hospice users.
City's objection 'strange': minister
Police Minister, and former environment minister, Reece Whitby said it was disappointing the dispute had yet to be resolved.
"This is a children's hospice, this is for kids in their final weeks and months of life, can we stop fighting about this issue?"
he said.
"That hospice is an important service for the most needy of children in their final hours and weeks and months.
Reece Whitby says he can't understand why council is still objecting to the plan.
(
ABC News: Keane Bourke
)
"They need to be surrounded by peace and tranquillity and they need to be supported."
Mr Whitby agreed that land parcel had been neglected, and said it was "strange" the City of Nedlands continued to object to the parkland.
"If the council is so concerned about it, why haven't they done something before now to beautify that area?" he said.
"This is a good positive thing to do, it's the least we can do for those children."
Digital billboard under fire
It's the latest in a series of debates about the project, with the city recently coming under fire over a digital billboard located on Stirling Highway which read "Class A Reserves are for future generations. Hands Off."
Photo shows
A portrait of blonde toddler with a pink clip in her hair, white top, smiling slightly.
Suzy Sadler says the proposed new hospice is needed because terminally ill children should not have to spend their last days in a clinical setting like a hospital.
The billboard included the City of Nedlands logo, but was said to have come at no cost to ratepayers.
Four councillors voted against the wording of the statement, with Cr Argyle using her casting vote to determine the outcome.
Cr Argyle on Monday said she was not — and had never been — opposed to the hospice itself, and was only concerned about the adjacent land development.
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The Advertiser
17 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'We want answers': probe launched into health service's use of grant funding
The alleged excessive spending of senior leadership at an Aboriginal health service is being examined by health authorities as Indigenous people across Dubbo demand answers. On May 29, 2025 the Department of Health, alongside representatives from the Community Grants Hub, the National Indigenous Australians Agency, and the NSW Ministry of Health, met with the Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service chair Brendon Harris and CEO Phil Naden to seek further clarification regarding the allegations grant funding - from both the state and federal government - was being used to fund a host of overseas trips. The Daily Liberal has reviewed all of the paperwork and spoken to a number of former staff members who say residents are battling to gain access to a GP while senior leadership at the CAHS have been on multiple overseas trips. Over the next two days the Liberal will bring you a series of stories detailing the allegations, calls for "greater transparency and accountability" and what the next steps will be for government officials examining the books. In a statement provided to the Liberal, the CAHS denies any wrongdoing. In nine years, Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) has spent more than $1 million on travel expenses, with $732,006 being spent in the past two years alone. Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler said his department is actively investigating to ensure funding to the Aboriginal Medical Service is being appropriated correctly in line with their grant agreements. "The Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) is fully cooperating with the investigation and will provide formal evidence in due course," he said. Mr Butler said Aboriginal Medical Services play a critical role in our health care system. "The majority offer outstanding health care services for First Nations Australians," he said. According to publically available CAHS financial statements, in 2024 the service spent $408,164 on travel, while in 2023 they spent $323,842. The number has jumped 24 times since the original amount spent in 2016, which was $16,143. According to sources, who wish to stay anonymous, in March 2023 and in April 2023 multiple members of staff, and some family members, went to New Zealand. While in 2024, ex-staff allege managers and the CEO travelled to Las Vegas, Canada and Bali. A spokesperson for Minister Ryan Park said NSW Health has a strong and long-standing relationship with the individual Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations in regional and rural areas and closely monitors service delivery and activity through a schedule of regular program and financial reporting and face to face engagement. "This includes six-monthly performance reporting, regular meetings with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations staff and management, clinic site visits and analysis of annual audited financial reporting," they said. "NSW Health provides funding to CTG Aboriginal Health Services to deliver healthcare programs for Aboriginal communities in Coonamble, Dubbo and Gilgandra. These funds are accounted for in financial statements." A statement from Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service said they remain fully committed to transparency and accountability and will continue to cooperate with the review in an open and constructive manner. "As you know, a formal departmental review is already in progress and out of respect for that process and to ensure it is conducted thoroughly and without interference, it is inappropriate to provide additional comment outside that process," the statement said. Previously the health service said travel and vehicle expenses have increased in line with the significant growth and complexity of CAHS' operations. "We now service over 40 per cent of the West and Far West of NSW. Since 2012/13, the number of contracts serviced has grown from three to 32," the statement said. "This operational expansion across Dubbo, Gilgandra and other areas has required increased travel to meet clinical and managerial responsibilities." According to CHAS all travel is assessed against strict internal policies with appropriate Board oversight to ensure alignment with business objectives and value for money. "Note, over the same period, revenue has increased from $1.2 million to $15.4 million, a 13-fold increase," the statement said. "All government grants are subject to the strictest probity and all of CAHS' accounts have been signed off by an independent auditor. "International trips are rare and only undertaken when there's a clear business case and Board approval. No Government funds were used." The Liberal contacted former chief executive of the service, Tim Horan, who said all wages and operational costs were fully covered under the grants. He noted that under funding rules, grant recipients are expected to either return surplus Medicare earnings or grant funding or demonstrate how the funds benefit the community. Mr Horan raised concerns about the number of recent overseas trips taken by the organisation. "It's unclear how such travel directly benefits the community, there should be greater transparency and accountability on how funds are used in any organisation let alone a registered charity," he said. "Why are we promoting health services in Bali, Las Vegas, or Canada? It doesn't make sense to me." Mr Horan, who recently relocated from Coonamble to Dubbo in search of better access to health services said, "unfortunately, even here, many of us including my own family are struggling to get GP appointments." "I was especially concerned to hear about a recent trip to Canada described as part of a financial and educational program," he said. "It raised some questions for me, especially since Australia operates under very different legal, business, and healthcare systems." Mr Horan says he asks himself, "were taxpayer dollars involved?". "How are clients here directly benefiting? And why are we struggling to get basic medical appointments? "There may well be valid explanations and I'm open to hearing them but right now, it doesn't sit right with many of us. "I'm concerned and want answers that make sense to the people who live this every day particularly when it comes to mental health." Mr Horan, suffering his own serious health issues appeared emotional while speaking with the Daily Liberal. "This is important to me and thousands of others and speaking out hopefully will help me with my health but many others in the same boat and who have been denied access to the Dubbo Service," he said. Mr Horan said government funding bodies should not be investigating "their own mistakes". "They don't want to find anything that shows they have failed their responsibilities, this is for ASIC and ICAC," he said. The alleged excessive spending of senior leadership at an Aboriginal health service is being examined by health authorities as Indigenous people across Dubbo demand answers. On May 29, 2025 the Department of Health, alongside representatives from the Community Grants Hub, the National Indigenous Australians Agency, and the NSW Ministry of Health, met with the Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service chair Brendon Harris and CEO Phil Naden to seek further clarification regarding the allegations grant funding - from both the state and federal government - was being used to fund a host of overseas trips. The Daily Liberal has reviewed all of the paperwork and spoken to a number of former staff members who say residents are battling to gain access to a GP while senior leadership at the CAHS have been on multiple overseas trips. Over the next two days the Liberal will bring you a series of stories detailing the allegations, calls for "greater transparency and accountability" and what the next steps will be for government officials examining the books. In a statement provided to the Liberal, the CAHS denies any wrongdoing. In nine years, Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) has spent more than $1 million on travel expenses, with $732,006 being spent in the past two years alone. Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler said his department is actively investigating to ensure funding to the Aboriginal Medical Service is being appropriated correctly in line with their grant agreements. "The Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) is fully cooperating with the investigation and will provide formal evidence in due course," he said. Mr Butler said Aboriginal Medical Services play a critical role in our health care system. "The majority offer outstanding health care services for First Nations Australians," he said. According to publically available CAHS financial statements, in 2024 the service spent $408,164 on travel, while in 2023 they spent $323,842. The number has jumped 24 times since the original amount spent in 2016, which was $16,143. According to sources, who wish to stay anonymous, in March 2023 and in April 2023 multiple members of staff, and some family members, went to New Zealand. While in 2024, ex-staff allege managers and the CEO travelled to Las Vegas, Canada and Bali. A spokesperson for Minister Ryan Park said NSW Health has a strong and long-standing relationship with the individual Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations in regional and rural areas and closely monitors service delivery and activity through a schedule of regular program and financial reporting and face to face engagement. "This includes six-monthly performance reporting, regular meetings with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations staff and management, clinic site visits and analysis of annual audited financial reporting," they said. "NSW Health provides funding to CTG Aboriginal Health Services to deliver healthcare programs for Aboriginal communities in Coonamble, Dubbo and Gilgandra. These funds are accounted for in financial statements." A statement from Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service said they remain fully committed to transparency and accountability and will continue to cooperate with the review in an open and constructive manner. "As you know, a formal departmental review is already in progress and out of respect for that process and to ensure it is conducted thoroughly and without interference, it is inappropriate to provide additional comment outside that process," the statement said. Previously the health service said travel and vehicle expenses have increased in line with the significant growth and complexity of CAHS' operations. "We now service over 40 per cent of the West and Far West of NSW. Since 2012/13, the number of contracts serviced has grown from three to 32," the statement said. "This operational expansion across Dubbo, Gilgandra and other areas has required increased travel to meet clinical and managerial responsibilities." According to CHAS all travel is assessed against strict internal policies with appropriate Board oversight to ensure alignment with business objectives and value for money. "Note, over the same period, revenue has increased from $1.2 million to $15.4 million, a 13-fold increase," the statement said. "All government grants are subject to the strictest probity and all of CAHS' accounts have been signed off by an independent auditor. "International trips are rare and only undertaken when there's a clear business case and Board approval. No Government funds were used." The Liberal contacted former chief executive of the service, Tim Horan, who said all wages and operational costs were fully covered under the grants. He noted that under funding rules, grant recipients are expected to either return surplus Medicare earnings or grant funding or demonstrate how the funds benefit the community. Mr Horan raised concerns about the number of recent overseas trips taken by the organisation. "It's unclear how such travel directly benefits the community, there should be greater transparency and accountability on how funds are used in any organisation let alone a registered charity," he said. "Why are we promoting health services in Bali, Las Vegas, or Canada? It doesn't make sense to me." Mr Horan, who recently relocated from Coonamble to Dubbo in search of better access to health services said, "unfortunately, even here, many of us including my own family are struggling to get GP appointments." "I was especially concerned to hear about a recent trip to Canada described as part of a financial and educational program," he said. "It raised some questions for me, especially since Australia operates under very different legal, business, and healthcare systems." Mr Horan says he asks himself, "were taxpayer dollars involved?". "How are clients here directly benefiting? And why are we struggling to get basic medical appointments? "There may well be valid explanations and I'm open to hearing them but right now, it doesn't sit right with many of us. "I'm concerned and want answers that make sense to the people who live this every day particularly when it comes to mental health." Mr Horan, suffering his own serious health issues appeared emotional while speaking with the Daily Liberal. "This is important to me and thousands of others and speaking out hopefully will help me with my health but many others in the same boat and who have been denied access to the Dubbo Service," he said. Mr Horan said government funding bodies should not be investigating "their own mistakes". "They don't want to find anything that shows they have failed their responsibilities, this is for ASIC and ICAC," he said. The alleged excessive spending of senior leadership at an Aboriginal health service is being examined by health authorities as Indigenous people across Dubbo demand answers. On May 29, 2025 the Department of Health, alongside representatives from the Community Grants Hub, the National Indigenous Australians Agency, and the NSW Ministry of Health, met with the Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service chair Brendon Harris and CEO Phil Naden to seek further clarification regarding the allegations grant funding - from both the state and federal government - was being used to fund a host of overseas trips. The Daily Liberal has reviewed all of the paperwork and spoken to a number of former staff members who say residents are battling to gain access to a GP while senior leadership at the CAHS have been on multiple overseas trips. Over the next two days the Liberal will bring you a series of stories detailing the allegations, calls for "greater transparency and accountability" and what the next steps will be for government officials examining the books. In a statement provided to the Liberal, the CAHS denies any wrongdoing. In nine years, Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) has spent more than $1 million on travel expenses, with $732,006 being spent in the past two years alone. Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler said his department is actively investigating to ensure funding to the Aboriginal Medical Service is being appropriated correctly in line with their grant agreements. "The Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) is fully cooperating with the investigation and will provide formal evidence in due course," he said. Mr Butler said Aboriginal Medical Services play a critical role in our health care system. "The majority offer outstanding health care services for First Nations Australians," he said. According to publically available CAHS financial statements, in 2024 the service spent $408,164 on travel, while in 2023 they spent $323,842. The number has jumped 24 times since the original amount spent in 2016, which was $16,143. According to sources, who wish to stay anonymous, in March 2023 and in April 2023 multiple members of staff, and some family members, went to New Zealand. While in 2024, ex-staff allege managers and the CEO travelled to Las Vegas, Canada and Bali. A spokesperson for Minister Ryan Park said NSW Health has a strong and long-standing relationship with the individual Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations in regional and rural areas and closely monitors service delivery and activity through a schedule of regular program and financial reporting and face to face engagement. "This includes six-monthly performance reporting, regular meetings with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations staff and management, clinic site visits and analysis of annual audited financial reporting," they said. "NSW Health provides funding to CTG Aboriginal Health Services to deliver healthcare programs for Aboriginal communities in Coonamble, Dubbo and Gilgandra. These funds are accounted for in financial statements." A statement from Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service said they remain fully committed to transparency and accountability and will continue to cooperate with the review in an open and constructive manner. "As you know, a formal departmental review is already in progress and out of respect for that process and to ensure it is conducted thoroughly and without interference, it is inappropriate to provide additional comment outside that process," the statement said. Previously the health service said travel and vehicle expenses have increased in line with the significant growth and complexity of CAHS' operations. "We now service over 40 per cent of the West and Far West of NSW. Since 2012/13, the number of contracts serviced has grown from three to 32," the statement said. "This operational expansion across Dubbo, Gilgandra and other areas has required increased travel to meet clinical and managerial responsibilities." According to CHAS all travel is assessed against strict internal policies with appropriate Board oversight to ensure alignment with business objectives and value for money. "Note, over the same period, revenue has increased from $1.2 million to $15.4 million, a 13-fold increase," the statement said. "All government grants are subject to the strictest probity and all of CAHS' accounts have been signed off by an independent auditor. "International trips are rare and only undertaken when there's a clear business case and Board approval. No Government funds were used." The Liberal contacted former chief executive of the service, Tim Horan, who said all wages and operational costs were fully covered under the grants. He noted that under funding rules, grant recipients are expected to either return surplus Medicare earnings or grant funding or demonstrate how the funds benefit the community. Mr Horan raised concerns about the number of recent overseas trips taken by the organisation. "It's unclear how such travel directly benefits the community, there should be greater transparency and accountability on how funds are used in any organisation let alone a registered charity," he said. "Why are we promoting health services in Bali, Las Vegas, or Canada? It doesn't make sense to me." Mr Horan, who recently relocated from Coonamble to Dubbo in search of better access to health services said, "unfortunately, even here, many of us including my own family are struggling to get GP appointments." "I was especially concerned to hear about a recent trip to Canada described as part of a financial and educational program," he said. "It raised some questions for me, especially since Australia operates under very different legal, business, and healthcare systems." Mr Horan says he asks himself, "were taxpayer dollars involved?". "How are clients here directly benefiting? And why are we struggling to get basic medical appointments? "There may well be valid explanations and I'm open to hearing them but right now, it doesn't sit right with many of us. "I'm concerned and want answers that make sense to the people who live this every day particularly when it comes to mental health." Mr Horan, suffering his own serious health issues appeared emotional while speaking with the Daily Liberal. "This is important to me and thousands of others and speaking out hopefully will help me with my health but many others in the same boat and who have been denied access to the Dubbo Service," he said. Mr Horan said government funding bodies should not be investigating "their own mistakes". "They don't want to find anything that shows they have failed their responsibilities, this is for ASIC and ICAC," he said. The alleged excessive spending of senior leadership at an Aboriginal health service is being examined by health authorities as Indigenous people across Dubbo demand answers. On May 29, 2025 the Department of Health, alongside representatives from the Community Grants Hub, the National Indigenous Australians Agency, and the NSW Ministry of Health, met with the Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service chair Brendon Harris and CEO Phil Naden to seek further clarification regarding the allegations grant funding - from both the state and federal government - was being used to fund a host of overseas trips. The Daily Liberal has reviewed all of the paperwork and spoken to a number of former staff members who say residents are battling to gain access to a GP while senior leadership at the CAHS have been on multiple overseas trips. Over the next two days the Liberal will bring you a series of stories detailing the allegations, calls for "greater transparency and accountability" and what the next steps will be for government officials examining the books. In a statement provided to the Liberal, the CAHS denies any wrongdoing. In nine years, Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) has spent more than $1 million on travel expenses, with $732,006 being spent in the past two years alone. Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler said his department is actively investigating to ensure funding to the Aboriginal Medical Service is being appropriated correctly in line with their grant agreements. "The Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service (CAHS) is fully cooperating with the investigation and will provide formal evidence in due course," he said. Mr Butler said Aboriginal Medical Services play a critical role in our health care system. "The majority offer outstanding health care services for First Nations Australians," he said. According to publically available CAHS financial statements, in 2024 the service spent $408,164 on travel, while in 2023 they spent $323,842. The number has jumped 24 times since the original amount spent in 2016, which was $16,143. According to sources, who wish to stay anonymous, in March 2023 and in April 2023 multiple members of staff, and some family members, went to New Zealand. While in 2024, ex-staff allege managers and the CEO travelled to Las Vegas, Canada and Bali. A spokesperson for Minister Ryan Park said NSW Health has a strong and long-standing relationship with the individual Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations in regional and rural areas and closely monitors service delivery and activity through a schedule of regular program and financial reporting and face to face engagement. "This includes six-monthly performance reporting, regular meetings with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations staff and management, clinic site visits and analysis of annual audited financial reporting," they said. "NSW Health provides funding to CTG Aboriginal Health Services to deliver healthcare programs for Aboriginal communities in Coonamble, Dubbo and Gilgandra. These funds are accounted for in financial statements." A statement from Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service said they remain fully committed to transparency and accountability and will continue to cooperate with the review in an open and constructive manner. "As you know, a formal departmental review is already in progress and out of respect for that process and to ensure it is conducted thoroughly and without interference, it is inappropriate to provide additional comment outside that process," the statement said. Previously the health service said travel and vehicle expenses have increased in line with the significant growth and complexity of CAHS' operations. "We now service over 40 per cent of the West and Far West of NSW. Since 2012/13, the number of contracts serviced has grown from three to 32," the statement said. "This operational expansion across Dubbo, Gilgandra and other areas has required increased travel to meet clinical and managerial responsibilities." According to CHAS all travel is assessed against strict internal policies with appropriate Board oversight to ensure alignment with business objectives and value for money. "Note, over the same period, revenue has increased from $1.2 million to $15.4 million, a 13-fold increase," the statement said. "All government grants are subject to the strictest probity and all of CAHS' accounts have been signed off by an independent auditor. "International trips are rare and only undertaken when there's a clear business case and Board approval. No Government funds were used." The Liberal contacted former chief executive of the service, Tim Horan, who said all wages and operational costs were fully covered under the grants. He noted that under funding rules, grant recipients are expected to either return surplus Medicare earnings or grant funding or demonstrate how the funds benefit the community. Mr Horan raised concerns about the number of recent overseas trips taken by the organisation. "It's unclear how such travel directly benefits the community, there should be greater transparency and accountability on how funds are used in any organisation let alone a registered charity," he said. "Why are we promoting health services in Bali, Las Vegas, or Canada? It doesn't make sense to me." Mr Horan, who recently relocated from Coonamble to Dubbo in search of better access to health services said, "unfortunately, even here, many of us including my own family are struggling to get GP appointments." "I was especially concerned to hear about a recent trip to Canada described as part of a financial and educational program," he said. "It raised some questions for me, especially since Australia operates under very different legal, business, and healthcare systems." Mr Horan says he asks himself, "were taxpayer dollars involved?". "How are clients here directly benefiting? And why are we struggling to get basic medical appointments? "There may well be valid explanations and I'm open to hearing them but right now, it doesn't sit right with many of us. "I'm concerned and want answers that make sense to the people who live this every day particularly when it comes to mental health." Mr Horan, suffering his own serious health issues appeared emotional while speaking with the Daily Liberal. "This is important to me and thousands of others and speaking out hopefully will help me with my health but many others in the same boat and who have been denied access to the Dubbo Service," he said. Mr Horan said government funding bodies should not be investigating "their own mistakes". "They don't want to find anything that shows they have failed their responsibilities, this is for ASIC and ICAC," he said.
West Australian
a day ago
- West Australian
Two more cases of malaria detected in Queensland, brings infection total to 71
An outbreak of a potentially fatal disease continues in the Sunshine State as authorities race to investigate two more locally acquired cases, bringing the total number of infections this year to 71. Queensland Health confirmed a second locally acquired infection was recently identified in the Torres Strait Islands local government area. Ninety-seven per cent of the cases this year to date have come from overseas, predominantly Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. It is a major increase in numbers, with 69 infections recorded in the same period in 2024, 50 in 2023, 20 in 2022 and only four in 2021. The presence of floodwaters is believed to be a key reason for the spike. Malaria is preventable and curable, and is not able to be passed from person to person, but rather spread through the bites of some infected Anopheles mosquitoes. 'We don't have mosquitoes capable of passing malaria on all throughout the country, but certainly in the more tropical parts of our country, the Northern Territory and northern parts of Queensland,' Mater Health infectious diseases director Paul Griffin said. 'That's why in those areas we need to give people that advice to make sure we reduce the chance of local transmission. 'With more significant types of malaria, the severe consequences can be involvement of the brain, so cerebral malaria and even death,' he told ABC News. 'It is something that we do need to take seriously and make sure we take steps to limit how much it is able to be passed on in our country.' According to the World Health Organisation, the most common early symptoms of malaria are fever, headache and chills. They typically start within 10 to 15 days of getting bitten by an infected mosquito.
SBS Australia
2 days ago
- SBS Australia
Could Australia's cost of living crisis have a silver lining for First Nations communities?
According to the head of Australia's fastest growing Aboriginal housing provider, the current cost of living crisis could provide opportunities for First Nations communities to address long overlooked concerns. Wiradjuri man and Birribee Housing CEO Paul Coe told NITV's The Point that issues like housing affordability and rising costs are now impacting Australians from all backgrounds. We Put The Blak In Blacktown 'When you look at current issues around cost of living ... things that have been a concern for Aboriginal communities for years, society's now joined them in this space,' he said. 'Society is now saying this is an election issue, which makes it a sweet spot for Aboriginal people to push and push for these outcomes as best they can.' Birribee Housing was established by the NSW Aboriginal Land Council in 2019 and now manages hundreds of properties across the state as well as having involvement in major developments like the renewal of Tolland Estate in Wagga Wagga. In Blacktown, home to the country's largest urban Indigenous population, Birribee manages more than 120 properties and operates an Aboriginal homelessness service in the region. 'It's often a sum loss game," said Coe. "There's more money going out than coming in, and it's difficult, particularly in the Aboriginal housing space when the stock in Western Sydney [is] quite aged. 'They're barely standing up. Old cottages that are cold, that are hot, and somehow society accepts that.' Mr Coe said that a broader approach was needed to go beyond the current closing the gap focus on reducing overcrowding. 'We know that homelessness is probably more often than not an outcome of a former institution," he said. "You've been in out-of-home care, you've been in jail, you've been in mental health, or there's been some other institutional effects on you. 'Your pathway to that hasn't been shaped by yourself or your family.... Aboriginal families lean into their family a lot for support, and so we hide that homelessness to a large degree. "But that hiding ... creates its own pressure points in households financially as well as wear and tear, and pressure across schools and everything else.' With around 60,000 people waitlisted for public housing across NSW, the need for new dwellings is critical. However Dharug Elder Uncle Chris Tobin said that growth shouldn't come at the expense of Country. 'This is the hard part for particularly TOs, or traditional custodians looking after their ancestral Country. We've still got that job,' he explained. 'We've got to keep looking at ways to rescue our Country and it's just so hard to do with this model of development that just wants more and more and more and which doesn't add to anyone's quality of life. 'Sadly, I think it's all about dollars and I think the health of the Country will take us in a direction that will be good for us ... "When the Country's healthy, we'll be healthy.' Paul Coe agreed that communities should use the increased political focus on housing solutions to advocate for the ongoing inclusion of culture and respect for the health of the land. 'They do become a real tangible election issue as we've seen through Labor and the push federally around housing,' he said. 'The difficulty you have is around this lack of bipartisan approach on the key issues around housing. A four or three year cycle is never going to solve something so critical to that. 'The development opportunity, or how we go through that, is to, one, make sure that we have housing, and that we curate our land as much as possible and that has to take some time to work through and a sustained effort and focus from people.' The Point airs Tuesdays 7.30 on NITV, and is available after the broadcast on SBS On Demand.
