Future funding requirements for the East Gippsland Primary Care Partnership Ice Prevention Working Group, for which current funding expires at the end of this financial year, has been raised in State Parliament by Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull.

Mr Bull said the East Gippsland group was one of many from around rural and regional Victoria that was doing great work in education and prevention when it came to ice.

“The group has participation from a range of agencies whose members come together and work together on community-wide programs,” he said.

“It is a space we cannot leave and work that cannot lapse. Funding runs out at the end of this financial year and, like many others that have been established around the state, it is seeking some confirmation of funding to allow it to continue.

“I also raised the fact that the $10,000 it received under the Community Ice Action Grants was barely enough to cover administration costs and asked the Minister if he could look at a higher level of support, given the good work that is being done.

“I recently took one of the group members to Mildura with me. The reason for this was chair of the National Ice Taskforce, Ken Lay, advised Mildura was one town that had good structures in place.

“We travelled to Mildura to see how they are doing things as a community, what they have in place, what arrangements have been made and what is working best.

“There remains much work to be done in this space, but this group has made a great start and should continue to be supported.

“I was pleased the Minister was able to tell me in his response in the Chamber that the funding program will continue, however said he would need to get back to me in relation to the East Gippsland group.

“My expectation is a new application will have to be lodged and that is something I will support through the process with the hope of a positive outcome,” Mr Bull said.