INDEPENDENT parliamentarian Troy Bell’s attempt to provide State Government funds to the Epilepsy Centre has prompted a Liberal backbencher to express his disappointment the request has not yet been met.
Last week, the Member for Mount Gambier moved a motion calling on the State Government to provide funding to peak not-for-profit organisation the Epilepsy Centre.
Mr Bell said the epilepsy charity, which is funded solely by private donations, was in desperate need of funds to expand its operations to support the 61,000 epileptics and their families living in South Australia.
“South Australia is well overdue in supporting those living with the sometimes debilitating condition of epilepsy, particularly those in regional South Australia,” he said.
“The Epilepsy Centre urgently needs further funding to enable them to offer additional full-time nurses, allowing the centre to continue to provide support, compassion and understanding to those families who are on the epilepsy journey.
“Five new families approach the Epilepsy Centre every week asking for assistance.”
The Mount Gambier MP referred to a speech made by Liberal MP Sam Duluk while in opposition, urging the State Government to provide direct funding to the Epilepsy Centre.
Mr Duluk, who is a long-time epilepsy advocate, amended Mr Bell’s motion to exclude the State Government from contributing funds.
The metropolitan MP said he would not waiver from his commitment to see the centre funded, but the current financial state of the government meant money could not be allocated at this stage.
“The Epilepsy Centre has expressed to me disappointment with the response they recently received from the government in relation to their request for funding,” he said.
“I would also like to note my disappointment in that regard.
“The Epilepsy Centre, I believe, has been looking for assistance of about $240,000 a year for the next four years to support the fantastic work they do.
“That funding would enable the centre to provide services equivalent to an additional three full-time equivalent registered nurses per annum to work with people in the community diagnosed with epilepsy as a primary condition.”
Mr Duluk targeted the former Labor administration’s “waste and fiscal mismanagement” for contributing to the State Government’s inability to meet the centre’s request for funding.
Labor MLC Nat Cook moved an amendment reverting the motion back to Mr Bell’s original call for funding, saying she felt terrible the former State Government did not provide the Epilepsy Centre with funds.
Ms Cook referred to the “dozens of quotes” from Mr Duluk lambasting the Labor State Government for its failure to provide adequate funding for the centre and people with epilepsy.
“We are in a new world and you are in government and you have the cheque book and you have the power to sign those forms now,” she said.
“I think one of the things that is important is we work together and we now move forward.”
