Tuesday, 21 March 2023

Ministers statements: student mental health

Natalie HUTCHINS (Sydenham – Minister for Education, Minister for Women) (14:13): I rise to update the house on the ongoing leadership that this government is showing in supporting student mental health in our schools and in fostering inclusive environments for our LGBTIQ+ students across all of our schools as part of a $600 million education policy response to the royal commission into mental health. The mental health menu and fund is successfully rolling out in areas like Brimbank, Melton, north-eastern Melbourne, outer eastern Melbourne and southern Melbourne, in addition to the regional and rural schools that it rolled out in in the last two terms of last year.

We will also continue to provide support and leadership through our Safe Schools and Respectful Relationships programs because equality is not negotiable here in Victoria, and the rights of trans Victorians are not negotiable here in Victoria. As Minister for Women, I proudly stand up for all women – that includes trans women. In contrast, there has been a failure of leadership from those opposite in standing up for the rights of the LGBTI+ community and a failure of leadership in looking after the mental health of our young Victorians. Those opposite have been advocating for tough love policies across our school system for struggling students. Well, I tell you what, tough love policy just does not cut it for Victorian parents, nor does it cut it for this government. Instead we are taking real action to implement the recommendations of the royal commission and make landmark investments to improve the mental health of our students and our broader communities.