Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton has officially opened the Maayu Mali Residential Rehabilitation Centre in Moree today.
Maayu Mali is one of the key initiatives funded under the Commonwealth Government’s Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) with $3 million committed to establishing the centre.
Mr Coulton has seen first-hand the issues that drug and alcohol addiction cause in the local communities across his electorate and he is very pleased that support will be available at Maayu Mali.
“Addiction to drugs and alcohol causes great distress and difficulties for individuals, families and communities,” Mr Coulton said.
“We all will need to support people willing to make changes to their lives and the Maayu Mali Centre will go a long way to facilitating this support across the Moree region.”
The establishment of Maayu Mali in Moree has not only brought a vital support service to the region, it has also made a notable contribution to local and Indigenous employment.
“I am pleased to know that all 12 staff members are from the Moree area,” Mr Coulton said.
“In addition to this, 90% of the staff are Indigenous making for a culturally appropriate environment.”
Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator to Hon Nigel Scullion is also very pleased that Maayu Mali has been established in Moree under the IAS.
“The IAS is about funding projects that deliver real outcomes to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, and this is a great project which Mark Coulton MP has championed from day one,” Minister Scullion said.
“The Maayu Mali facility will make the community safer and healthier.
“It is a concrete example of the Commonwealth Government’s commitment to working with communities across Australia to deliver sustainable outcomes for Aboriginal people.”
Both Mr Coulton and Minister Scullion wish the first intake of residents every success and also congratulate the staff of Maayu Mali on their commitment to working to improve the lives of the programme participants.