Alison Byrnes (Cunningham, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Lindsay for putting forward this motion. The Albanese Labor government understands the importance of mental health and how the various aspects of an individual's life can affect their mental wellbeing. We know that early intervention and support are key to promoting positive mental health, and we are investing in innovative and compassionate projects.

This month, the Albanese government has invested $1.7 million to extend The Essential Network, or TEN project. This project, facilitated by the Black Dog Institute, provides tailored mental health and wellbeing support to healthcare professionals, including through clinical interventions, peer support, self-guided check-ups and digital programs. It has helped more than 86,000 health professionals across Australia. It is vital that we support our healthcare workers, who have always been there to care for us. The Albanese government is also investing $203 million this year in the rollout of the Student Wellbeing Boost for every school and student across the country. On average, each school will get $20,000, depending on its need and size. In addition to the boost, all Australian education ministers have signed a new five-year $307 million Federation Funding Agreement to deliver the National Student Wellbeing Program.

Back in my electorate of Cunningham, there are some absolutely outstanding local initiatives that are shining a light on mental health. Last year, on Christmas Day, the member for Wollongong, Paul Scully, and I spent some time visiting some amazing businesses and organisations that opened their doors to ensure that no-one was left alone on what can be a very isolating day. We started our day at The Foundery in Port Kembla, where their volunteers joined forces with the Salvation Army to provide a special Christmas brunch for those looking for a friendly face. Local business owners Wayne and Jane from Tonitto Continental Cakes donated some amazing pastries and cakes from their shop across the street. There was even enough left over to take to our second stop of the day, the One Door Wollongong and Illawarra Clubhouse. One Door Mental Health Wollongong provides specialised mental health services to the Illawarra region, including centre based services, one-on-one support and assistance in transitioning to the NDIS. Here we caught up with Shannon, who is a fierce advocate for fixing the NDIS, having attended local rallies and campaigns for many years. It was great to spend time with participants and carers alike, who were able to spend the holiday with those who simply understood.

I would like to thank my good friend Janine Cullen and Clifford Jackson, Donna Walker and Artemis Atkinson for their dedication to supporting and promoting mental health in our community. Mental illnesses can be severely exacerbated during the holiday period, and I thank these volunteers for recognising that support should be a priority during this time.

To end the day, we stopped at His Boy Elroy, in Wollongong, who, along with their associated mental health initiative, the Barstool Brothers, provided a free burger to anyone who had nowhere else to go. To Lachie, Daniel and Selena, thank you so much for giving up your day to cook for, converse with and support those who really needed it. I also thank Zweefers cake shop for donating dessert for the occasion. It was truly heartwarming to see so many local businesses joining forces to make Christmas Day so special for those around them.

It would be remiss of me to not mention the Barstool Brothers and not highlight another amazing new venture they are about to undertake—these guys are amazing. The Barstool Brothers community initiative has seen their local member base grow to over 1,500 men, and it continues to grow through the running of multiple free social events every month, with a focus on helping to facilitate relationship growth and support between men. In less than a month, their members will tackle the Kokoda Trail, documenting the journey while producing a film that they hope will inspire, educate, and reassure men battling mental health that they are not alone. The group going to Kokoda plans to be open and vulnerable about their mental health battles, in what they hope will be an extremely raw look at the struggles that men can face, quite often in silence. They will also be exploring the traits that our heroic diggers encapsulated, such as mateship, resilience, and courage, and how they relate to modern day men and the values that Australians are proud to be known for.

I'm excited to watch these Wollongong men continue to push for positive change, and I look forward to following their journey through Kokoda.

See this speech in context