Wednesday 28 October 2009

REES TURNS HIS BACK ON HEARING IMPAIRED CHILDREN – ‘YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN’

Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner today condemned Nathan Rees’ decision to reject pleas from concerned parents to keep St Gabriel’s early intervention centre open to continue helping their hearing impaired children.

“Nathan Rees’ dismissive attitude towards this important educational facility shows he is not up to the job of being Premier,” Mrs Skinner said.

St Gabriel’s School in Castle Hill provides early intervention for up to 20 children, teaching hearing impaired children vital language and listening skills. They require in the vicinity of just $200,000 to help keep their doors open until private sector support can be found.

“Despite funding a screening program to identify children with a hearing impairment, the Rees Labor Government is not funding the critical learning centres that treat those babies identified as having a hearing impairment,” Mrs Skinner said.

“If the Rees Labor Government doesn’t help fund the early intervention services to help those children, its only doing half the job,” she said.

“Just last week Nathan Rees claimed a funding announcement was imminent, but so far he’s produced nothing. It’s just another example of Nathan Rees being loose with the truth.

“These parents are trying as hard as they can to get the funding required to allow their children to learn, but Nathan Rees has turned his back on them.

“Health Minister Carmel Tebbutt and Nathan Rees are happy to be photographed with babies as part of the screening program, but they’re nowhere to be seen when those children with hearing difficulties need help with early intervention.

“This callous attitude to children with hearing impairments shows Nathan Rees’ moral compass is broken.

“The Rees Labor Government should ensure those children identified as having hearing impairments receive the early intervention services they need,” Mrs Skinner said.