Tuesday, 29 July 2025

 Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (14:11): I rise to update the house on the Allan Labor government’s continued rollout of mental health and wellbeing locals. A few weeks ago I had the privilege to visit the Brimbank local, which was one of the first locals to be established in Victoria, to announce the locations of the next seven locals. And yesterday I had the pleasure of visiting the Whittlesea local with the member for Mill Park, Minister D’Ambrosio in the other place, to announce the second round of roles through the locals graduate and early career program, supporting a strong pipeline of new workers to deliver these important new services. The new locals will be in the local government areas of Cardinia, Darebin, Maribyrnong, Maroondah, Mount Alexander, Port Phillip and Wyndham.

The Allan Labor government is proud to have already delivered 15 locals across 17 locations, which have supported more than 23,000 Victorians. The new locations will bring the total number of locals to 22 across 24 locations, meaning more people will be able to get the help they need, where they need it and when they need it, without the need for a referral or a Medicare card. Locals are the front door to the mental health system, supporting the missing middle: those who need more than that which a GP could deliver but do not meet the high threshold for more complex care. They deliver tailored treatment, care and support, including to those with co-occurring alcohol and drug challenges. These new locals will gradually begin operating from later this year, and once up and running they will provide a full range of clinical and wellbeing supports delivered in person, via telehealth and through outreach. I am proud that the Allan Labor government is building a mental health system that is community based, person centred and guided by lived experience. The addition of these seven new mental health and wellbeing locals and over 100 new graduate workers is a key part of that work.