The Tully Support Centre has secured funding to continue to provide non-clinical mental health support services to the local community affected by Panama Disease Tropical Race 4 (TR4).

Hinchinbrook MP, Andrew Cripps, said he was very pleased to see his representations on behalf of the Tully Support Centre to the Queensland Government had been successful.

Mr Cripps said the funds had originally been discontinued as of 30 June 2016, but welcomed the extension of the support for another 12 months, as the community continued to deal with TR4.

“The Tully Support Centre had written to the Palaszczuk Government to outline the need for these services in July 2016, but had received no answer more than a month later” said Mr Cripps.

“As a result, I asked a Question on Notice and made a speech in the Queensland Parliament on 18 August 2016 to demand that the Palaszczuk Government pay attention to this issue” he said.

“The very next day, 19 August 2016, the Minister for Communities sent a letter to the Tully Support Centre advising that an additional $75,000 would be provided – so it appears we got their attention”.

“These important counselling services are now funded to continue to be provided to the local community in the Tully district until the end of June 2017 through the Tully Support Centre”.

Mr Cripps congratulated the hard work of the staff at the Tully Support Centre and the volunteer committee that provides such an important range of social services in the Tully district.