It was one of several promises made in the federal seat of Macarthur in a bid to try to save the political skin of both the sitting member and the Turnbull Government.
This one took place on Sunday morning, May 15, 2016.
The Campbelltown Hospitals, public and private, provided the backdrop as the Prime Minister, flanked by local MP Russell Matheson, as well as his then health minister Sussan Ley, promised $54 million over four years for continuous glucose monitoring to children and young people with type 1 diabetes.
Mr Turnbull was also introduced to young diabetes sufferers from the Macarthur region during his visit.
A target start date of January 1, 2017 was included in the July 2 election policy documents of the Coalition.
But this week, and two full months after the target start date, the new member for Macarthur, Dr Mike Freelander, blew the whistle on the government.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“The Federal Government committed to fund the continuous glucose monitoring technology from January 1, yet two months later we haven’t heard a thing,” Dr Freelander said.[/social_quote]
“I call upon the Coalition Government to immediately implement this program.
“This is a long overdue lifesaving and lifestyle improving modern treatment,’’ he said.
But the government suffered further embarrassment over the issue when the Health Department was found to be completely unaware of the promised start date of January 1.
During questioning at Senate estimates yesterday by Catherine King, Labor’s Health and Medicare spokesperson, a Health Department official replied:
“I believe a consumer group included on its website the suggestion of a 1 January start; that has not been a government commitment to date.”
Ms King has pointed out that the government’s own costing of the election commitment couldn’t be clearer:
“Distribution would commence from 1 January 2017,’’ it says.
“It is extremely concerning that department officials had no idea the program was meant to start two months ago – eight months after the election,’’ Ms King said.
“The government’s failure to provide certainty to children with diabetes and their families is appalling.’’
In an emailed response, a spokesperson for health minister Greg Hunt told the South West Voice in Macarthur:
“We have been working with Diabetes Australia, JDRF and the DANII Foundation to deliver the program.
“We are in the final stages and will very shortly make an announcement about an imminent commencement.’’
This media statement also directed us to a Diabetes Australia article published yesterday, Wednesday March 1.
“The Coalition’s 2016 election commitment of $54m over four years to provide Continuous Glucose Monitoring through the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) to children and young people with type 1 diabetes was warmly welcomed by Diabetes Australia,’’ the article said.
“Since then, Diabetes Australia has been working constructively with the Federal Government and the Department of Health to ensure the initiative is implemented successfully.
“While a target start date of 1 January was included in the election policy documents, detailed work has been required to ensure safe, reliable and effective delivery of the program. Diabetes Australia supports this approach.’’
