Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 
Health Department 

20 November, 2013

Senator WRIGHT: What cuts to funding or resources which will have an impact on mental health service delivery are planned by the department this financial year?

Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 
Health Department 

20 November, 2013

Senator WRIGHT: I will move then to the GP Psych Support service. I understand that the Department of Health ceased to fund the GP Psych Support service administered by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the service was shut down on 31 October this year, when its contract for service expired. Am I right in that?

Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee 
Health Department 

20 November, 2013

Senator WRIGHT: When will the next rollout of Partners in Recovery occur?

The Federal Government must lead a drastic overhaul of the mental health system to ensure every Australian can access quality care, says Australian Greens spokesperson for mental health Senator Penny Wright.

"Without a root and branch reform of mental health in this country, thousands of Australians will continue to miss out on life-saving mental health services," Senator Wright said.

The Australian Greens have called for the Coalition Government to urgently respond to rising suicide and PTSD rates in the Australian Defence Forces.

Spokesperson on mental health and veterans' affairs, Senator Penny Wright, urged Defence Minister David Johnston to reveal his plan to improve mental health support for servicemen and women.

I've recently learned about a wonderful African concept: Ubuntu. It means 'I am what I am because of who we all are.' It speaks of being larger than an individual - being connected to others and part of a community. Ubuntu. Essentially, it means we can't be human by ourselves.

The Australian Greens will work with other parties in the new parliament to tackle suicide rates, especially in rural areas, says Australian Greens spokesperson for mental health Senator Penny Wright.

Speaking on World Suicide Prevention Day, Senator Wright said research continued to show suicide rates were higher in rural and regional areas.

"Every suicide has a profound impact on families and whole communities. We all need to work urgently on reversing this devastating trend," Senator Wright said.

Tony Abbott's mental health policy is so small, it's an insult to the thousands of Australians living with mental ill-heath, says Australian Greens spokesperson for mental health Senator Penny Wright.

"Tony Abbott's announcement today is a huge disappointment," Senator Wright said.

"With the Coalition only delivering $23 million more over four years compared to Labor, the mental health policies of the old parties will not even scratch the surface of what is needed to improve outcomes for people with mental ill-health."

The Greens believe that if we are prepared to send men and women to serve Australia on our behalf, we have a responsibility to care for them properly when they return.

This means ensuring they have access to proper support, including mental health and wellbeing services, and making sure service personnel who are injured are not financially disadvantaged while they are being treated.

The Australian Greens' multi-million dollar commitment boosting mental health research, primary care and suicide prevention will ensure all Australians can access quality care, say Senator Penny Wright and ACT Senate candidate Simon Sheikh.

Today's announcement of a further $547.4 million for mental health services brings the total of Australian Greens' mental health policy commitments to $1.1 billion, following the rural mental health package announced last week.