Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I present an interim report of the Community Affairs Committee on its inquiry into mental health services in Australia. I seek leave to give a notice of motion

Leave granted.

I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move:

That the final report of the Community Affairs Committee on its inquiry into mental health services in Australia be presented by 25 September 2008.

I also move:

That the Senate take note of the report.

I wish to make a few comments on this interim report and then I intend to hand over to Senator Allison. One particular reason that we the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs wanted to give notice today of our committee report was so that Senator Allison could speak to this area. We all know that it is one which she has held very close to her heart and that she, with other senators, has been instrumental in bringing forward the issues of mental health in Australia. I hope people do take the opportunity of reading this interim report, because it gives an indication of the commitment that has been shared by so many people across our country to improving the areas of mental health across Australia. We, again, were astounded by the interests, the commitment, the passion and the generosity of time that was given to us by people across this country who are committed to ensuring that mental health services will be improved and that there will be a common acceptance of the need for more support for people who identify with mental health issues and also for the carers, the practitioners and the people who face this issue on a daily basis, working with them as they move forward with their lives.

That is all I am going to say about this matter, because I think it is important that other senators do have a chance to speak. Our committee will continue and, when the report is finally presented in September, we will have a series of recommendations which will clearly reinforce the need for cooperation. The only way these issues will be given the importance they demand is by all areas of government—particularly state and federal but also increasingly local government—and medical practitioners, carers and people who identify as consumers working on the issue. But now I am very keen for Senator Allison to talk to us—I hope not for the last time, but perhaps for the last time as a senator on this very important issue.