Stephen Jones (Throsby, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Infrastructure) Share this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition has reminded us of the importance of reaching out to people on R U O K? Day and the importance of the issue of suicide. It will not surprise you, Speaker, to know that in rural and regional Australia the rates of male suicide are higher than anywhere else in the country. I take today, mental health day, male suicide day, as an opportunity to remind those members of the National Party to go back to their caucus room and implore their colleagues to stay good to the promise that they made to the people prior to the 2013 election, where they said:

We will increase funding for dedicated regional youth programs to seriously address chronic issues like drug and alcohol abuse, bullying and mental health in rural and regional Australia.

It is with deep regret that I inform the House that instead of increasing funding to these services, they have been decreased and instead of increasing services to GPs in rural and regional Australia who are providing critical primary care services, they have been decreased.

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