Friday, 14 August 2026

 Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ambulance Services, Special Minister of State) (12:25): I rise to speak on this government’s commitment to the implementation of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System. I start by noting that there is no other jurisdiction in the country doing more to reform the mental health system than here in Victoria. You will see from the Productivity Commission’s recent report on the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement that Victoria’s contribution is more than all other states and territories combined.

Five years on we have made significant progress on delivering on the royal commission. We have delivered more than 180 acute beds for adults, young people, women, older Victorians and hospital-in-the-home beds, with 50 more funded in the 2026–27 budget. We have delivered 22 locals across 24 locations, and they have supported over 43,000 Victorians to access free mental health care and support close to home without needing a GP referral or a Medicare card.

The commission said we needed dedicated alcohol and other drug and mental health emergency department hubs in each region, and we have gone further. Eight AOD and mental health hubs are in place around the state, with another four in the pipeline. We have invested $700 million to support, retain and grow this important workforce, and our workforce has grown since the royal commission by 33 per cent. We have delivered three children’s locals. We are delivering a youth prevention and recovery centre in every region and undertaking foundational reforms, including age streaming and improving Headspace integration.

Work is underway on 95 per cent of the royal commission’s recommendations. This work is supported by the mental health and wellbeing levy, which since it was introduced has helped drive a significant increase in investment in Victoria’s mental health system, and it will continue to supplement existing government funding. We know that the Liberals voted against the levy, and their so-called audit of the levy is all about cuts.