Tuesday, 8 September 2026

 Roma BRITNELL (South-West Coast) (13:20): Portland is facing a mental health and addiction crisis that can no longer be ignored. Nineteen local women – mothers – desperate to save their children have formed an online support group because Portland lacks the mental health and drug and alcohol services their families need. Between them these women have lost nine children to suicide or overdose ‍– yes, nine children. In the past fortnight alone, Portland has lost another two young people. Portland’s suicide rate is 45 per cent higher than that of any other Victorian town. Susan Roll has courageously told how her son once sought help and was handed a sticky note with a telephone number. When he called he reached a Melbourne triage service and was told he faced a 14-week wait. After a decade of Labor, a royal commission and endless promises, what has Portland received? Nothing. Labor has raised $1 billion each year through its mental health levy, yet it has been revealed that this money has been absorbed into base funding instead of being delivered as additional investment – a despicable betrayal by Labor. A Jess Wilson Liberal government will deliver $40 million through a rural health workforce scheme, offering mental health and allied health professional grants to relocate and incentivising them to stay. We also need the Lookout residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre that Labor refuses to fund. Portland does not need another promise, it needs professionals, treatment and rehab services that save lives.