Odyssey House
Mr EDBROOKE (Frankston) (12:37): As many members of this chamber are aware, the Victorian trade union movement are working towards opening a worker-led rehabilitation outpatient and outreach service in partnership with Odyssey House. This service will assist working people and their families to receive assistance with addiction and mental ill health issues with the support of their employer and their union without the fear of losing their job. It is a critical workplace intervention. This service would be the first of its kind in Victoria and add to the suite of services that this government already provides. I have spoken about this important initiative before because frankly I love it. It is the successful life-saving Foundation House model we see in New South Wales, and Victorian workers have even recently been flown to Foundation House in New South Wales for treatment. Unions representing an absolute plethora of industries from trades to emergency services, manufacturing to health, professional services, retail and hospitality, transport—the list goes on—have all invested in a feasibility study of this initiative. It has recently been completed by La Trobe University Emeritus Professor Dr Hal Swerissen. I am looking forward to all members receiving this important piece of work, which will demonstrate how this community-led worker intervention could save Victorian lives too.