Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Ageing) Share this | Hansard source

To move:

That the following matter be referred to the Finance and Public Administration References Committee for inquiry and report by 16 August 2011:

The Government’s funding and administration of mental health services in Australia, with particular reference to:

  (a)   the cuts in services under the Better Access Initiative and the rationalisation of general practitioner (GP) mental health services;

  (b)   the reduction of the number of allied health treatment sessions available to patients under the Better Access Initiative;

  (c)   the impact of reducing Medicare rebates and the two-tiered rebate structure for clinical assessment and preparation of a care plan by GPs;

  (d)   the impact of reducing the number of allied mental health treatment services for patients with mild or moderate mental illness under the Medicare Benefits Schedule;

  (e)   the impact and adequacy of services of treatment of additional patients with advanced mental illness through programs such as the Access to Allied Psychological Services program;

  (f)   the two-tiered Medicare rebate system for psychologists;

  (g)   workforce qualifications and training, including qualifications and experience of psychologists;

  (h)   mental health workforce shortages;

  (i)   the adequacy of mental health funding and services, including for:

  (i)   culturally and linguistically diverse communities,

  (ii)   Indigenous communities, and

  (iii)   people with disabilities; and

  (j)   any other related matter.