Tuesday, 22 March 2022

Ministers statements: rural and regional mental health services

Ms THOMAS (Macedon—Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional Development) (14:30): I rise to outline how the Andrews Labor government’s once-in-a-generation reform of the mental health system will give rural and regional Victorians the care they need. In 2018 I was privileged to be at the Kyneton Men’s Shed when the Premier announced that our government would hold the nation’s first royal commission into mental health. I am proud that our government is supporting and implementing every one of the royal commission’s recommendations. By rebuilding our mental health system we are transforming the way support is offered in regional Victoria, with more care in regional communities, more early intervention and more focus on wellbeing and prevention.

Last year’s budget committed $141 million to upgrade youth prevention and recovery care facilities, including sites in Geelong, Shepparton, Ballarat, Traralgon and Bendigo. We are delivering funding for local services for those needing care, providing early intervention support without needing a referral from a GP and without the pressure of a clinical hospital emergency department. This includes 14 new local services in regional Vic. We also know that our farmers have faced many challenges over the years, so we are supporting them to focus on their mental health with $2.9 million for local programs tailored to local needs in communities from Bass Coast to the Wimmera.

The Andrews Labor government is firm on our commitment to mental health. Victorians know that they can trust us and our word. Unlike those opposite we will not dither, backflip or waver on funding for these important reforms because reforming and investing in the mental health system is part of our values. It is what Labor governments do, and Victorians know that only Labor governments can be trusted to deliver these reforms.