Geraldton’s Sobering Up Centre to Close

Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney has been advised by the McGowan Government that it will be withdrawing funding for the Geraldton Sobering Up Centre.

The centre will close on December 31, 2017.

“This is a vital service for some of the most vulnerable people in our community that this Labor Government has told me it can no longer afford to fund,” Mr Blayney said.

“This service cares for people with entrenched mental health and alcohol addiction issues and also provides a safe, caring environment for any children that may be in the company of these people.

“This is a place where police can bring intoxicated people knowing they will receive basic medical care and monitoring rather than having to leave them alone in a prison cell.

“It is also an alternative to these people presenting at hospital where they can be a disruption to other patients.”

Mr Blayney said the closure added to the growing list of services and infrastructure in Geraldton that the Labor Government had decided it could not afford.

“After just seven months’ in office this Government has decided it can’t afford critical improvements at our Geraldton Hospital, a mental health unit and now this vital frontline service,” Mr Blayney said.

“The people of Geraldton see the McGowan Government spending billions on a train service to a marginal Perth electorate, millions on a biodiversity plant in the marginal seat of Collie and millions in wave power research in the marginal seat of Albany, but cannot afford a simple sobering up service in Geraldton.

“It would be easier to believe the McGowan Government’s spin about cuts to frontline services being for budget repair if they hadn’t bought down a budget that increased both Government spending debt.”