Wednesday, 3 May 2023

Ministers statements: mental health funding

Gabrielle WILLIAMS (Dandenong – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ambulance Services, Minister for Treaty and First Peoples) (14:10): I rise to update the house on the Andrews Labor government’s unwavering support of workers on the front line in our mental health system. From peer workers to psychiatrists, allied health staff to nurses, we are building a workforce that meets the needs of Victorians, whether they are experiencing mental health challenges for the first time or indeed if they are dealing with chronic illness. That is why we are delivering on our promise to double the mental health workforce by 2031 from 8700 to 17,400 full-time employees. We have so far invested some $600 million in Victoria’s mental health workforce so far, so that supports about 2500 new jobs.

This morning I met with Sandra and Dee, two of the 400 recipients of our mental health and wellbeing workforce scholarships, backed by some $6 million of investment. Sandra and Dee outlined that the scholarship program had provided them with financial security as they completed their studies and also the opportunity to hone their craft and pursue a fulfilling career pathway. The commitment and experience of Sandra and Dee and every other worker in our mental health system is key to our promise to transform our mental health system. This is all of course part of our ongoing commitment to implementing all recommendations of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, backed by more than $6 billion of investment so far – more than every other jurisdiction. Just like Sandra and Dee, our hardworking mental health workforce know that only the Andrews Labor government can be trusted to deliver much-needed reform of our mental health and wellbeing system for all Victorians and will provide the opportunities for people to carve out for themselves a fulfilling career in a system that is dynamic and innovative and ultimately there to serve those who rely on it.