A new health clinic will be built in the remote community of Mutitjulu, on the lands of the Anangu people, as part of the Albanese Labor Government’s package of measures to improve First Nations health infrastructure.
The Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney will visit the Mutitijulu community today with the Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, Malarndirri McCarthy, and Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour, to announce the delivery of much-needed funding made available in the October Budget.
The $8 million project will replace the Mutitjulu Health Service Clinic, which was built in the early 1990s. An entirely new facility will be built with modern healthcare and safety standards.
Proposed features include additional treatment rooms, an outdoor waiting area and a larger room to store critical medicines and pharmaceutical products, as well a garage for vehicles.
The new clinic will be constructed on the site of the existing clinic and includes the cost of establishing a temporary facility during the construction phase.
The replacement of the Mutitjulu clinic is part of a wider investment of $164.3 million for vital health infrastructure projects that will provide modern, high-quality health clinics in areas of large and growing First Nations populations.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney MP:
“I’m so pleased to be in Mutitjulu to deliver on our commitment for this important project that will help ensure the Anangu people living in one of the most remote parts of the country have better access to health care services.
“A modern clinic for residents of the Mutitjulu community will help in efforts to close the gap in health outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.”
Quotes attributable to the Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, Malarndirri McCarthy:
“This Government’s first Budget, represents a fundamental change in the delivery of First Nations health.
“These critical infrastructure works will be a game-changer for Mutitjulu and it will be one of the most significant developments at the clinic in decades.”
“Upgrading trusted First Nations health clinics will help accelerate efforts to close the gap for First Nations people and ease the burden on the wider health system.”