MEDIA RELEASE
Vision 2020 Australia applauds Senator Lisa Singh for championing eye health and vision care development programs in the Senate’s recent Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee.
Prior to the Committee meeting Senator Singh engaged with Vision 2020 Australia about the status of eye care programs in developing countries.
She went on to officially question the Government on current funding for these programs: ‘I want to ask about how much funding the Government is providing for eye care-related development programs.’ The question was taken on notice by the Committee.
With the completion of Vision 2020 Australia’s eye health program supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Senator Singh also asked how future funding would be secured.
‘With, obviously, the foreign aid budget cuts, how will the Government now secure continuity and sustainability of eye health and vision development programs in the region?’ Senator Singh asked.
It was confirmed the Australian NGO Cooperation Program would receive funding for eye health and vision care next financial year.
With 90 per cent of people who are blind or vision impaired living in developing countries, and two-thirds in Australia’s region, the sector needs eye health champions like Senator Singh.
Carla Northam, CEO of Vision 2020 Australia, says: ‘On behalf of Vision 2020 Australia and our Global Committee members, we would like thank Senator Singh for publicly supporting and advocating for eye care-related development programs.
‘We appreciated her passion and support for securing eye health and vision care programs in developing countries, as these are making a real difference and significantly contributing to eliminating avoidable blindness and vision impairment, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.
‘If Australia’s foreign aid budget doesn’t increase, the continuity and sustainability of eye health and vision care development programs in the region is at risk.’
ENDS
For more information: Adam Sawell at Vision 2020 Australia
03 9656 2020, 0401 096 507 or asawell@vision2020australia.org.au
About Vision 2020 Australia
As the national peak body for the eye health and vision care sector, Vision 2020 Australia represents almost 50 member organisations involved in local and global eye care, health promotion, low vision support, vision rehabilitation, eye research, professional assistance, and community support. Established in October 2000, Vision 2020 Australia is part of VISION 2020: The Right to Sight, a global initiative of the World Health Organisation and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.