The Gillard Government can prove it is serious about mental health with one decisive action on budget night.
Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Shadow Minister for Ageing and Shadow Minister for Mental Health, said the Coalition has presented a comprehensive plan for mental health that has been endorsed by the entire mental health sector and the Government should match it.
“The Coalition last month announced an extra $430 million for mental health in addition to the $1.5 billion Real Action for Mental Health policy taken to the 2010 election,” Senator Fierravanti-Wells said.
“The Coalition has a proven track record in government of boosting mental health funding by $1.9 billion from 2006.
“In Opposition the Coalition has led with strong policies that will make a real difference to the one in five Australians who experience mental illness.
“Labor has continued to ignore motions of the Parliament to implement 20 early intervention centres, 800 more mental health beds and 60 more headspace sites.
“The new mental health initiatives include funding to better coordinate accommodation services and money to improve employment services.
“The one in five Australians who experience mental illness and their families and carers are sick of waiting for this Labor Government to match the Prime Minister’s rhetoric on mental health.
“Saying mental health is a second-term priority is meaningless without an immediate boost to spending.”