Thursday, 16 October 2025

 Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:40): I rise to update the house on the Allan Labor government’s commitment to deliver free community-based mental health care for all Victorians. Last week I had the pleasure of joining the hardworking member for Monbulk Daniela De Martino as we opened the doors on the new permanent location of the mental health and wellbeing local in Lilydale. The local will support the Yarra Ranges community with a range of clinical wellbeing mental health supports via walk-ins and in-person appointments, telehealth and outreach services – all free of charge with no Medicare card or GP referral required. Services at the Lilydale local are delivered by a multidisciplinary team of experienced mental health professionals, wellbeing staff and peer support workers, and they are designed to meet the diverse needs of that community. We are proud that we have already delivered 15 locals in 17 locations across the state, which have supported over 27,000 Victorians to access free mental health supports in their community.

We are not stopping there. Building on the existing locals, I recently announced that seven new locals will open before the end of the year. Once fully up and running, they will provide a full range of clinical and wellbeing supports delivered in person, via telehealth and through outreach. The new locations will bring the total number of locals to 22 across 24 locations, meaning more Victorians than ever will be able to access the help they need when they need it and where they need it, without the need for a referral. I am proud to be part of a government that is building a mental health system that is community based, person centred and guided by lived experience. I would like to thank the team at the Lilydale local for showing us around and for the work that they are doing every day to create a strong and welcoming space for the Yarra Ranges community.