Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for her question. Yes, I am aware of that, and the Minister for Health is also well aware of that. She is highly conscious of the need for funding certainty and is committed to working with the sector to make sure we have that front-line service delivery that we need. That is a matter for the consideration of the minister and I know she is hoping to conclude that deliberation in the very near future.

When it comes to mental health provision in rural and regional areas—and I know this is an area of concern for those on both sides of the chamber—there are a number of programs that the coalition government is already implementing to ensure we get the outcomes we want on the ground. We need only look at mental health services in rural and remote areas. We have got $16.7 million going out to around 200 communities across rural and regional areas that otherwise would not get services. Under the National Suicide Prevention Program we have $9.2 million—