Page 4012 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 20 September 2017
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That is why we see text that says that the minister is proposing that there be a review after a year, and that that is the time to look at land use change issues. That is why the Greens will be supporting the government’s amendment today, because it commits the government to exploring possible changes to the land lease arrangements at the Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm site as part of a 12-month review of the program. The amendment acknowledges the recent progress that has occurred and the benefits that the farm will bring in its current form. At the same time I believe the model of care can and should be reviewed to ensure that the facility achieves its full potential. I believe that part of this process is revisiting the idea of a lease variation to allow the facility to operate as a rehabilitation centre which includes the provision of therapeutic services.
I am not suggesting that the Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm should become a full detoxification facility. The best advice I have is that the site would not be appropriate for this level of intensive care, given how distant it is from the hospital, for example. Additionally, we already have a number of these facilities in the ACT and they do a fantastic job of delivering that specific service. But even after the initial detox period, the vast majority of people who have experienced drug or alcohol addiction will have underlying physical or mental health issues that need ongoing monitoring and care.
It is problematic that, under the current model of care, the Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm cannot provide counselling services or host GP or nurse practitioner check-ups on site. These are basic services that will be important for ensuring that residential clients, once this phase has begun, are provided with holistic care. That is why the government’s commitment to look at a lease variation is so important. I thank the minister for including this clause in the amendment and I look forward to seeing the outcomes of the review and how the facility can continue to be improved.
The Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm has the potential to be a real asset to the ACT’s health system and to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. The current model of care has a focus on healing and on dealing with the underlying issues that lead to drug and alcohol addiction, not just the symptoms. The focus on spiritual and cultural wellbeing is underutilised in Australia, although we have seen its effectiveness in a number of countries around the world. There are a number of aspects which indicate that the facility can make a real difference to helping people to break the cycle of addiction.
But, as the minister said in her statement last week, the current suite of programs is not complete. As I have touched on, the Greens are pleased that the government’s amendment recognises the need for the facility to change over time, in line with its original vision, and that the minister has agreed to explore changes to the lease conditions as part of this progress.
I have been very clear today that I think that a lease variation to allow therapeutic services at the Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm could lead to improved drug and alcohol rehabilitation services on the site and should be very seriously considered. The question I pose to the opposition is whether they would be prepared to support this process.
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