- Published:
- Monday 16 June 2025
The Allan Labor Government is ensuring Aboriginal Victorians living in Melbourne’s south east will continue to receive the healthcare they deserve – funding a modern, new facility for the Dandenong and District Aborigines Co-Operative Limited (DDACL).
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas visited DDACL’s current GP clinic to announce their health, social and wellbeing services will come together under the one roof at Monash Health’s Integrated Care Centre in Cranbourne.
Backed by a $13 million investment in this year’s Victorian Budget 2025/26, services at the organisation’s Stud Road and Thompsons Road sites will move to the new location – with the facility to be fitted out to ensure it is modern and culturally safe.
The critical funding will ensure DDACL can continue to support their growing community of more than 13,000 people which is set to nearly double in size by 2037.
Services offered by DDACL include primary care, social and emotional wellbeing support, integrated health care for chronic illnesses, maternal and child health, and family, disability and aged care.
The location choice and process of opening the new facility is self-determined led by DDACL and the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) – with support from the Department of Health – to ensure it is done in a way that best services their community.
Ensuring ACCHOs have the resources they need to provide culturally safe care delivers on the priorities set out in the Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Partnership Agreement, the Closing the Gap targets, and the vision shared by community – and is fundamental to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians get the care they need.
This latest investment builds on existing Labor Government investments in Aboriginal health, including social and emotional wellbeing teams in ACCHOs across Victoria, support for the Balit Durn Durn Centre and work to close the gap in cancer rates and research.
Funding in this year’s budget also invests $15.8 million for culturally safe maternity care – backing the work of 10 ACCHOs to support mums during and after pregnancy.
Quote attributable to Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
“Aboriginal Victorians deserve to get the health care they need with dignity, and in a safe and secure space – that is why we’re supporting DDACL to move their services under the one roof in a modern facility.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Health Infrastructure Melissa Horne
“We’re supporting DDACL in establishing their new location because we know how important their work is in supporting the more than 13,000 Aboriginal Victorians across the outer south east.”
Quote attributable to Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams
“We know that when Aboriginal health is in Aboriginal hands, we get better health outcomes – it’s why we’re continuing to support DDACL to ensure they can continue delivering important healthcare services.”
Quote attributable to Member for Cranbourne Pauline Richards
"This investment ensures DDACL can continue delivering the culturally safe, community-led care that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander locals in our community deserve now and into the future.”