Thursday, 31 July 2025

Western Victoria Region

Joe McCRACKEN (Western Victoria) (12:46): (1704) My question is for the Minister for Mental Health. The Grampians interim regional body community infrastructure mapping final report was delivered to the department in December 2024. The report details a number of mental health needs across the Grampians region and shows wide engagement. So far the government is yet to release the report or respond. The report comes off the back of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, which recommended a raft of changes for a responsive and integrated mental health system across the state. Your most recent announcement of seven mental health and wellbeing locals commencing in late 2025 – none of these are in the Grampians region. Minister, how long will it be before the Grampians region’s mental health is taken seriously, especially considering the impact of drought and the emergency services tax, combined with a complete lack of care for the region? Why is the Allan Labor government overlooking my constituents?