Thursday, 5 October 2023

Ministers statements: mental health

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:26): I am very proud to make my first statement in the house as the Minister for Mental Health in the Allan Labor government. We know that one in five Victorians experience mental health challenges every year. This is a very important issue, and that is why our government undertook an Australian-first royal commission into our mental health system. I am honoured to continue the significant program of work that is underway to transform Victoria’s mental health and wellbeing system, and I want to acknowledge the work of Minister Williams, the previous Minister for Mental Health. The Allan Labor government is committed to ensuring that all Victorians receive the mental health support they need when they need it. I will waste no time in getting on with the work to deliver on every single one of the 74 recommendations of the royal commission, backed by over $6 billion of investment, the largest investment in mental health in Australia’s history.

Already this year we have seen the delivery of new mental health beds, mental health and wellbeing locals and a dedicated mental health hub, the completion of Victoria’s first statewide child and family centre in Macleod, the establishment of the new Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission and the commencement of the groundbreaking new Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022. We know that in order to deliver our once-in-a-generation reforms we need to grow and support our mental health system workforce. None of these reforms would be possible without our incredible mental health workforce, and that is why this government will continue to support our highly skilled and dedicated frontline workers in the system by delivering programs, scholarships and grants to build, support and retain that important workforce. Finally I would like to acknowledge the tireless contribution of people with lived experience to these reforms.