The Abbott Government must immediately reverse its pathetic, unfair and heartless attack on Australians suffering from debilitating Inborn Error of Metabolism (IEM) conditions.

Around 900 Australians are diagnosed with rare genetic conditions such as Phenylketonuria (PKU) and Homocystinuria (HCU) which, require them to have an expensive, and protein restricted diet, to prevent then developing brain damage.

For over decade the federal government has been providing a small subsidy, currently worthy $250 per month, to these 900 families to enable them to purchase the special food they need so children with this condition do not suffer brain damage.

With no warning or consultation, these families were last week informed by The Department of Health that the Budget had ended this payment.

No decision more highlights the unfair and heartless nature of this government, and its Budget.

This is a pathetic and small-minded measure which punishes families reliant on this small contribution to help cover the costs of protecting children with this very rare disease from suffering brain damage or premature death.

That is why Labor has written to the Prime Minister urging him to immediately reverse this decision which has such serious implications for people living with an Inborn Error of Metabolism both now and for the rest of their life.

 

These are the last people that the Government should be going after and they should not have to fight their Government for continued support.

 

We are hugely concerned that this is just the tip of the iceberg.

 

We’re concerned the Government has hidden cuts like this to small programs for Australians suffering severe health conditions as part of its overall $2 billion cut to health in this year’s Budget.

 

TUESDAY, 26 MAY 2015

 

MEDIA CONTACT: LEADER’S OFFICE MEDIA UNIT 02 6277 4053

STEPHEN SPENCER 0423 596 573