The Nationals Member for Mildura Peter Crisp has today announced that an elected Liberal Nationals government will fund and build a residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre for Mildura.
The 18 to 20-bed centre will address the critical need for residential rehabilitation services in north-west Victoria.
Mr Crisp was joined in Mildura today by Shadow Minister for Mental Health Emma Kealy.
“Mildura has a real need for a residential treatment centre and if a Liberal Nationals government is elected, I will deliver this vital service for our community,” Mr Crisp said.
“These centres save lives and they change lives, and we need one in Mildura.
“The Nationals believe in backing projects our communities have identified as a priority, and this centre will make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of Mildura families.
“I’ve worked very closely with community supporters of this project and I am very pleased be here today with Emma Kealy to tell them a Liberal Nationals government will deliver it.
“We have an excellent non-residential program run by Sunraysia Community Health already, and a residential facility would complement that and boost our capacity to tackle the scourge of drug and alcohol addiction which sadly affects some members of our community.
“Only a Liberal Nationals Government will deliver a residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre for Mildura and north-west Victoria.”
The Liberal Nationals will put $7 million into this commitment for Mildura, as part of a package of new drug and alcohol rehabilitation services for regional Victoria.
Victoria currently has about the quarter the number of residential rehab beds of New South Wales, which has more than 800.
Ms Kealy said the Andrews Labor Government had failed regional Victorian communities by not keeping up with service demands for new residential rehabilitation beds.
“Plans to increase the number of residential rehabilitation beds were axed by the Andrews Government when it was elected in 2014, and that meant communities like Mildura have missed out.
“Waiting lists have blown out and in some places people are being told they have to wait up to a year, and that’s just not good enough.
“A Liberal Nationals government will make the investments regional communities need so that when people are struggling and need help for drug and alcohol addition, residential rehabilitation services will be there for them and their families.”