Wednesday, 21 June 2023

 Meng Heang TAK (Clarinda) (19:05): (234) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Mental Health, and the action I seek is for the minister to provide the latest information on the mental health support services the government is providing to our refugee communities resettled here in Victoria. During the last sitting week I was honoured to host a delegation of Myanmar Burmese community representatives here in Parliament. These included His Excellency Aung Myo Min, the Union Minister for Human Rights in the cabinet of the National Unity Government of Myanmar. A prominent human rights advocate, in 1988 he joined a democracy uprising and left Myanmar after the military coup. Living in exile for 23 years, he has continued the struggle for democracy and human rights in Myanmar. We were saddened and humbled to hear updates on the current situation in Myanmar. I thank many of my colleagues for joining me to hear from the minister. We continue to stand in solidarity with those fighting for democracy in Myanmar.

One of the issues to come out of the broad discussion was the mental health consequences of the coup and the civil war for the Myanmar refugee resettlement in Victoria. As such, I would like to request an update on the services being provided in this space. I thank the minister for her hard work in delivering services that support the mental health of all Victorians, and I look forward to her response.