After years of advocacy the Member for Macarthur, Dr Mike Freelander MP, has expressed immense joy at the fact that the Macarthur region will soon be home to a new Centre of Excellence for The Shepherd Centre.

The new facility, which Dr Freelander has been campaigning to establish for many years, is projected to service the needs of over 200 children and their families within the Macarthur and South-West Sydney region.

“This is a huge win for our community and I am so pleased that we have finally been able to secure the funding for this essential project.”

Dr Freelander secured a commitment from Federal Labor at the last federal election to fund the new facility in Campbelltown, and has since been lobbying the Federal and State Coalition Health Ministers to match his commitment.

“Bipartisanship works and I am grateful that Minister Brad Hazzard has responded positively to my lobbying,” said Dr Freelander.

“This issue is above politics and I am so glad that we have finally been able to secure the funding necessary for this crucial project.

 “There are a staggering 431 children in South West Sydney with hearing loss as their primary disability living in South West Sydney; the second-highest region in Australia.

“The Shepherd Centre provides world-class early intervention services for deaf and hearing-impaired children, and it is wonderful that they will now have a wonderful new facility in Macarthur.

“I will continue to hold the Minister to account, to ensure that the promised funding comes through and that this project becomes a reality.

“This is about ensuring that our children get the best start in life, that they are able to transition well into school, make friends, learn and have access to opportunities as they should.