Drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre Missiondale has been thrown a lifeline by the Liberals, with the party offering a last-minute election sweetener of almost $1 million so the centre can continue to provide services.
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Missiondale, which is Tasmania’s only long-term residential rehab centre, was set to reduce its services from July without a funding commitment from the federal or state government.
Lyons Liberal MHR Eric Hutchinson has pledged a one-off payment of $800,000, which will allow the centre to expand on existing services for the next financial year.
“Its residential recovery program offers a positive solution for people wanting change in their lives, and this commitment will help the service continue,” he said.
“Missiondale helps people from every walk of life, age and background, with a success rate showing nearly three quarters of clients complete at least the Mission’s foundation rehabilitation module.”
City Mission chief executive Stephen Brown said the funding would allow the centre to open additional beds during the next financial year.
“We still need to secure ongoing funding for future years,” he said.
“It’s a fix that enables us to get through the next financial year and during that time the state government is undertaking a review of residential rehabilitation services.
“It has been an anxious time – for the clients it means they can get nervous about what might happen to their treatment.”
Missiondale had been requesting $500,000 to keep 70 per cent of its services.
