Cassandra Fernando (Holt, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Mental health is a crucial issue that affects the wellbeing of all Australians, and I am proud to say that this government is taking a comprehensive and proactive approach to addressing this crucial issue. In recent years, the prevalence of mental illness has increased dramatically, and it is more important than ever that we take steps to rectify the delivery of mental health services in Australia.

The Albanese Labor government recognises the impact that mental illness can have on individuals, families and our entire community. We are committed to providing the necessary resources, support and funding to ensure everyone can access the mental health care they need. Putting the voices of experts, carers and consumers at the front and centre of policy development and decision-making is essential to delivering the mental health system Australians deserve. To achieve this, the government has worked closely with stakeholders across the mental health sector to ensure the people of this country have the resources and support they need to receive the best possible care.

The crucial step in reviewing the government's mental health and suicide prevention policies was the Better Access Forum. This forum followed the release of the independent Better Access evaluation by the University of Melbourne, which showed that, while the program delivered promising outcomes, many Australians continued to miss out. For example: in 2022, less than half of the people from low socio-economic backgrounds, like many of those who live in my electorate of Holt, were able to access the treatment they needed, despite most services being delivered in their areas. This forum, which demonstrated this government's cornerstone cooperative approach, focused on improving the system's equity and aimed to understand how Australia could improve access to care without compromising positive health outcomes. It recognised the shared goals of the government, the mental health sector and those with a lived experience, and the mutual commitment to work together to continue building an inclusive mental health system.

The forum was also informed of the decision by the Minister for Health and Aged care, Mark Butler, MP, to announce a significant $8.5 million investment to support those with a lived and living experience of mental ill-health to shape the policies and programs that affect them. This includes $7.5 million to establish and operate two independent national mental health lived-experienced peak bodies, one representing consumers and the other representing carers, families and kin. Additionally, the government will give lived-experience Australians an extra $900,000 to continue their work in leading lived-experience research and to build the capacity of consumers and carers. The remaining $100,000 will help to establish a regular stakeholder forum to increase transparency, accountability and partnership with the sector. This demonstrates the Albanese Labor government's emphasis on constant and continuous improvement.

The evaluation found that people using Better access experienced positive outcomes but that those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, or those living in regional, rural or remote communities, were missing out. This meant that the Australians most at risk were also those who were unable to access the care they needed and deserved. These alarming findings informed Minister Butler's considered decision not to prolong the temporary Better Access expansion beyond 31 December 2022, and to encourage the government to focus on making the system more equitable. An equitable system means that communities facing socio-economic disadvantage, like the people of Holt, can have faith that this country's mental health system cares for them too.

I am proud that the Albanese Labor government understands the importance of mental health and wellbeing, and is committed to improving mental health support for all Australians. I commend Minister Butler and the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride, MP, for working tirelessly to ensure that everyone has access to the care they need.

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