Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, upon notice, on 7 November 2011:

In regard to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the Better Start Program:

(1) Given large sections of Aboriginal communities experience widespread hearing loss, will there be a population based approach to hearing loss as a disability rather that an individual one, which can include many individuals who may not have supporting evidence of disability.

(2) Given that many Indigenous children experience fluctuating hearing loss and limited access to audiological services: (a) how will these needs be addressed by the Better Start Program; and (b) will health centre identification of a history of chronic ear disease be used as a qualification for support rather than audiograms.