Business
19 May, 2025
COUCH’s plea to ALP
PRESSURE is on the re-elected Albanese government to fund the COUCH Wellness Centre to the tune of $7.5 million over five years after their contracts with federally-funded North Queensland Primary Health Network ended in March.
None of the major political parties made any commitments to the cancer care hub during the election campaign despite the vital services it provides to the community.
However, COUCH is forging ahead with its vision to expand its services and transform into North Queensland’s ultimate cancer care hub.
An increased awareness of COUCH services and donations, including a $100,000 philanthropic contribution and a $16,500 boost from Bendigo Bank’s Connected Communities last week, has underscored the importance of the centre to the Far North.
COUCH chairman Dr Scott Davis said the centre would operate as normal while it continued to carry out the business plan produced before the election.
The plan includes adding a GP, mental health support, dietetics as well as growing existing services including the gym and custom exercise classes, oncology and lymphedema massage therapy, pilates, yoga, meditation, breath and Qi, circuit and strength classes along with a range of workshops enhancing social and peer connection.
Dr Davis said it was important for the federal government to help COUCH grow into a gap where clients needed more support to navigate the complexities of cancer treatment with enhanced GP cancer care planning and referrals to much needed care services.
“The government still has a responsibility to help fund the centre and its core services and we will work with new Leichhardt MP Matt Smith, Senator Nita Green and the health minister, as well as stalwart Kennedy MP Bob Katter on how they do this,” he said.
Dr Davis said COUCH would work hard to align their new operating model with Labor government policy.
“There is hard work ahead but we do operate debt free, we have a strong asset base and we are a charity of choice for many organisations and events including the upcoming Bulls Masters Remembering Roy Tour and the Cairns Airport Ironman and fun run.”
COUCH is also working through master planning and engaging with multiple parties on plans relating to a block of land adjacent to the centre, which they received a $1.3m government grant to acquire in 2019.
With the FNQ Connected Communities program coming to an end, board chairman Andrew Cornes explained why they gave their final donation to COUCH.
“Our values align. We have been fully supportive of the community over the years through various organisations, and we’re very pleased to support COUCH, particularly at this time when it’s seeking contributions from the community,” he said.
