MHV Welcomes Federal Election Commitments
Mental Health Victoria welcomes the Australian Labor Party’s $1b mental health federal election commitment announced this morning. This investment would enable more people to access free, public mental health care in their community.
In particular, Mental Health Victoria welcomes the expansion of Medicare Mental Health Centres, a focus on the mental health and wellbeing workforce, and the significant investment in youth mental health.
At a time of growing bipartisanship for mental health priorities, Mental Health Victoria urges the Victorian Government to provide complementary investment in the upcoming 25/26 Victorian Budget that continues to strengthen the mental health system in line with the Royal Commission’s intent.
Mental Health Victoria Chief Executive Officer, Phillipa Thomas said:
“It is pleasing to see bipartisan commitment for mental health investment in this Federal Election. We know that mental health affects all Australians either directly or indirectly, and sustained vigilance to addressing longstanding and new and emerging needs through boosted funding is needed to deliver world class care.
On the back of this announcement, our hope is that the Victorian Government provides complementary investment and continues to fund important reforms like Local Mental Health and Wellbeing Services, and the growth and diversification of the workforce in the upcoming State Budget.”
Mental Health Victoria welcomes the commitment for 1,200 training places for mental health professionals and peer workers. However, we know that addressing mid and senior level workforce challenges across the system is an issue of growing urgency requiring attention.
Mental Health Victoria continues to support Mental Health Australia’s Sector Sustainability Statement which outlines simple, cost-neutral changes to address challenges with short term contracts, reduced funding of programs and workforce retention.
Contact
For further information contact either:
Phillipa Thomas, Chief Executive Officer via p.thomas@mhvic.org.au
Brontë Spiteri, Executive Director, Policy and Advocacy via b.spiteri@mhvic.org.au
Mental Health Victoria is the peak body for mental health and wellbeing in Victoria. As a member organisation, MHV represents a wide range of organisations (Associates) that operate across the mental health system including service providers in acute, non-acute and community mental health settings, as well as allied service providers and organisations in areas such as education, research, and advocacy.
Find out more: mhvic.org.au.