House debates
Monday, 24 June 2024
Statements by Members
Spence Electorate: Mental Health
1:55 pm
Matt Burnell (Spence, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Late last week, I was extremely pleased to be a part of the official launch of a new Medicare mental health centre located in Elizabeth, right in the heart of my electorate of Spence. I was joined by the Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and the South Australian Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Chris Picton. This centre is the result of a partnership between the Albanese Labor government and the South Australian government as part of a $92.1 million mental health agreement and also a result of the Albanese Labor government's commitment to strengthening Medicare and improving access to mental health services for Australians. It's partnerships like this that will make a difference to improving mental health access and mental health outcomes in Adelaide's north and across the country.
Having a Medicare mental health centre in Spence, open seven days a week for extended hours, where people can walk in without an appointment, without a referral, and seek qualified mental health support and service is not just sorely needed; it is a game changer for so many people that live in my electorate and the surrounding area. This is one of 61 Medicare mental health centres being opened across the country, enabling the journey towards better mental health outcomes for all to start now.