Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator very much for his question and for his ongoing interest in bushfire recovery and in helping our bushfire affected communities across Australia. I can say that the federal government, the coalition government, the Morrison government, is absolutely committed to helping Australians who have been impacted by bushfire, which is why we continue to invest money in this recovery. We also acknowledge, as do you, Senator, that the bushfires in 2019-20 have taken a very serious toll on the mental health of Australians. It has taken a very traumatic, emotional toll on those people who were affected in those communities. I know firsthand from the communities that I have had involvement with in South Australia that it was a very tragic and terrifying time, and the impact lingers, exacerbated even further by the fact that they have now had to contend with the implications and the consequences of the actions that have had to be taken around the coronavirus pandemic.

The government has committed over $100 million in mental health support for emergency personnel, individuals and communities impacted by the 'black summer' bushfires. These include $76 million for a bushfire recovery mental health package announced on 12 January this year. That package included free access to counselling in bushfire affected areas; Medicare rebated psychological support, including via telehealth, which is particular relevant given the COVID crisis; money for Primary Health Networks for additional services and to administer grants into local communities; and specific support for emergency service workers and their families. In response to the need for more community based support, the government has since announced an additional $13.5 million for primary care in the Primary Health Networks, and this is very, very specific—