A Shorten Labor Government will provide $2.5 million to help the Shepherd Centre establish a new facility in Campbelltown, NSW.

The Shepherd Centre provides a family-centred early intervention program to teach children born deaf or hearing impaired how to develop spoken language, to give them the best possible start in life.

The organisation has an international reputation as a centre of excellence in helping children with hearing loss learn to listen and speak.

It currently provides a range of services to over 500 families across five centres in NSW and the ACT, as well as outreach support across Tasmania and rural Australia.

Yet there are many families struggling to get the support they need because they live in areas where there are no specialist services.

Dr Mike Freelander, Member for Macarthur, said Labor’s funding will establish a new purpose-built Shepherd Centre facility in South Western Sydney.

“With the area experiencing rapid growth, the new centre will benefit around 200 children and their families in Campbelltown and the surrounds,” Dr Freelander said.

“It will address the present shortfall in specialist services and cater to the diverse needs of children who are deaf or hearing impaired.”

“Labor’s investment in a centre of excellence in Macarthur will allow the Shepherd Centre to expand their world-leading services in paediatric hearing loss.”

A Shorten Labor Government is committed to ensuring that all children receive the support they need to get the best possible start in life.

If you want a fair go for all Australians – vote Labor.