Tammy Tyrrell (Tasmania, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I love the Butterfly Foundation. They provide essential services for people who are experiencing eating disorders or body image issues. I've met with people from this organisation both here and in Tasmania. Butterfly Foundation estimates that eating disorders affect more than one million Australians at any given time, which is about four per cent of us, but eating disorders affect nine per cent of Australians over their lifetime. I know how hard this organisation works to support people who are affected by these conditions as well as their families and friends.

Last year the Tasmanian state government extended Butterfly Foundation's recovery and care support service for three years, which helps people across Tassie who are experiencing eating disorders. Butterfly has been in Tassie since 2017 and has been doing great things for the people in my state. But this organisation needs more money, and permanent funding, so that it can continue helping people in my community and also in yours.

Eating disorders and body image issues affect people of all ages and stages of life, and they're not going away. We need to acknowledge that fact and come up with a solution so that these services are always available to whoever needs them, wherever they live. This funding must be distributed nationally, with a particular focus on regional and remote areas. People living rurally have less access to health services in general, but we know there are gaps in mental health services in all these areas.

Butterfly Foundation has a solution to support people wherever they live, with its counselling and support programs. These amazing people also want to invest in health promotion and prevention campaigns, which hopefully will stop eating disorders from taking such a strong hold. Anyone who needs it can get help from the Butterfly Foundation through its national helpline or website, www.butterfly.org.au, or you can chat with someone online. (Time expired)