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Labor and Coalition commit to ongoing funding for the Vision Initiative program

The Vision Initiative has been working closely with Labor and the Coalition in the lead up the Victorian election on 27 November 2010 to secure ongoing funding for the program for the period 2011-14.

We are delighted to report positive responses from both parties and thank them for their bipartisan support for this important eye health and vision care initiative for all Victorians.

Labor

On 24 November 2010 the Vision Initiative received an email from the office of the Minister for Health, the Hon Daniel Andrews MP, regarding the Brumby Government's long standing support for the Vision Initiative program and Vision 2020 Australia. The email stated that, 'in Government, Labor was proud to take the lead in promoting eye health nationally through the development of the Vision Initiative program and has provided support and ongoing funding since 2002'. Over the last eight years, 'Labor has provided almost $2 million to support this important program, aimed at preventing avoidable blindness and reducing the impact of severe vision loss for all Victorians'.

In the event that the Labor party is re-elected they confirmed that 'a future Brumby Labor Government will continue to work with Vision 2020 Australia to ensure this important work is continued in 2011 and beyond'.

Coalition

A media release (PDF 68KB) from the office of David Davis MP, Shadow Minister for Health, issued on 18 November 2010, confirmed a commitment to fully fund the Vision Initiative program to 2014.

The Coalition acknowledges the work done so far and recognises the importance of the program to integrate eye health into mainstream health prevention strategies.

PDF - 80KB).

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