Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a)

recognises:

(i)

the important, unique and successful service provided by Sisters of Charity Outreach to the Devonport community, and

(ii)

the strong desire of the Devonport and wider communities to retain this vital mental health service;

(b)

seeks that:

(i)

the Prime Minister (Ms Gillard) meet her promise that a re-elected Labor Government would make mental health a priority, and

(ii)

the Government re-consider its decision not to extend funding for the Sisters of Charity Outreach service beyond the current 4-year period; and

(c)

calls on the Government to provide $1.25 million over 3 years for this vital northwest Tasmanian health service.

Jan McLucas (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I seek leave to make a short statement.

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is leave granted? There being no objection, leave is granted for two minutes.

Jan McLucas (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Australian government is strongly committed to improving mental health services for all Australians. The Australian government provides access to counselling and psychological services through a range of programs which allow GPs to refer patients who have been diagnosed as having a mental disorder to an allied health professional.

While the government understands the work that the Sisters of Charity undertake in the community, unfortunately we are unable to provide a continuation of funding under the current arrangements. The funding was provided as a one-off, and assistance has been provided to the Sisters of Charity to identify future funding sources.

The Prime Minister has stated that mental health will be a second term priority, and, on top of funding for mental health under the MBS and PBS, funding for mental health specific programs in the period between 2010-11 and 2013-14 will nearly triple, to $1.4 billion, compared to $516.3 million provided between 2004-05 and 2007-08.

Question agreed to.