Fresh from his talkfest around Australia, the Minister for Mental Health, Mark Butler, has announced a “new” Expert Advisory Group on Mental Health.
The Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, said the name of the group is irrelevant.
“They had the National Advisory Council chaired by the eminent Professor John Mendoza who quit in disgust over inaction.
“The Australian public is well aware that the Gillard Government cannot deliver on a program given its history with pink batts, school halls and green loans, but announcing more talking is excruciating for the mental health sector.
“The Coalition has presented a perfectly acceptable plan to expand mental health funding and motions to support its implementation have been passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
“You cannot blame Professor Patrick McGorry and Professor Ian Hickie for putting their hands up to participate in this new group but more talk only adds to the reviews and information already given to the government.”