MENTAL HEALTH - ANOTHER SECTOR LET DOWN BY LABOR
07-October-2011
Mental illness afflicts more Australians than almost all other health disorders. During Mental health week which runs from 9th to 15th October, the focus is on awareness, promoting mental health and changing perceptions on mental health. Mental Health Day is 10th October.
"One-in five Australians need help now" said Louise markus, Federal member for Macquarie.
"In the Hawlksbury we have a number of organisations doing as much as they can to provide support and services for our community but how can Local, State and National needs be met when Labor has cut spending in this critical health sector?
Louise Markus said "Julie Gillard broke her election promise on mental health. On 27th July 2010, Julia Gillard said "I want to be absolutley clear - mental health will be a second-term priority for this government"
"Budget papers reveal that most of the money will be delievered in five years, the last year of the NEXT term of Governement.
"Only $47.3 million is new funding in 2011-12 with $62.8 million cut from exisiting programs and $580.5 million slashed from the GP mental health sdervices and allied health treatments sessions from the better Access Program".
Lousie markus said teh last Coalition government provided record funding to mental health.
In 2010, The Coalition commited th $1.5 Billion for 800 new mental health public beds, 20 early psychosis intervention centres and 60 additional Headspace centres a policy supported by Professor John Mendoza, [The Australian, 21 July 2010] who said the Coalition policy was "the most significant announcement by any political party in relation to a targeted evidence-based investment in mental health".
Louise Markus said that mental illness accounts for about 13% of the total of disease in Australia but only about 6% of the health budget goes to mental healthcare services.
"The Prime Minister has broken another promise and let these people down. With the huge debt and reckless spending of this labor governement and with the Labor Government intent on bringing in a carbon tax, &3 billion in cabon tax revenue will be spent buying carbon credits from overseas. This means Australians will have $3 billion less to fund compensation, or to provide support services for health and disability, or to invest in infrastructure, water and the many issues vital to the health of our economy and society.
"All thise Australians affected by mental illness, their carers and their families need help now" said Louise Markus.
"I and my Coalition colleagues will continue to advocate strongly during Mental health week and at any time of the year to hold this governement to account on funding for people with mental health issues" Louise Markus said.