The Liberals have promised 10 new social health workers at the Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal health service if they win government, an announcement welcomed by chief executive Julie Tongs as meeting a desperate need.
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The extra staff would double Winnunga's cohort of 10 social health workers, who were supporting indigenous people with child protection, domestic violence and other issues, on top of their other work.
"We're desperate for more Aboriginal front line workers on the ground," she said.
The promise was made by the Liberals' indigenous affairs spokesman Andrew Wall, who said said it would cost $1 million a year when all staff were on board.
The Liberals would also allow Winnunga to use $1.3 million of budgeted money to design a new building at its Narrabundah site.
Winnunga had identified about 60 families with intergenerational issues who were at serious risk. They were regularly caught up with ACT government agencies, including care and protection, housing and the courts. Winnunga was struggling to meet demand.
Liberal Leader Jeremy Hanson said Canberra was one of the most affluent cities in the country and there was "no reason the indigenous community should be experiencing the same issues as those in regional and rural parts of our country. The Canberra Liberals consider this unacceptable."
