Page 611 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 11 February 2009
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
For example, this does not deal with the problem that we have a shortage of GPs; the document highlights it; but there is no strategy for addressing the shortfall of GPs. GPs certainly are at the front of the mental health crisis that we face. We need to increase the number of GPs in each jurisdiction but how are we actually going to do that? People afflicted by mental health issues certainly find it difficult often to access GPs and see a private psychiatrist; often they do not have the resources to do so. What are the solutions to those problems?
We really need a robust strategy and plan that is going to take us forward to meet these challenges and make sure that we are coordinating with all the stakeholders. I look forward to participating in that process. But as I said before, we must be focusing on service delivery not just the inputs, not just the money we are spending. We do not want more empty words and aspirations; we need tangible outcomes in response to the problems which are actually articulated in this plan.
In part of the response to this plan, the Mental Health Community Coalition of the ACT is saying that ACT Health’s vision, in order for it to become an actuality, will require funding for the community health sector to the extent of 30 per cent of the mental health budget to be spent on community sector service provisions. We certainly support this aspiration. I note that that is in the Greens-Labor alliance document. However, the minister in speaking to this motion, appears to be stepping away from that agreement.
Ms Gallagher: We are not.
MR HANSON: I will continue. But the agreement says that that is a target of 30 per cent but already we see, in the minister’s words, that she is stepping away from that. She said that she has concerns with that and she would prefer it to be targeted at the individuals. So I will be very interested to see what the outcome of that debate is, whether there will be an amendment to that agreement, whether there are cracks occurring already in that agreement in terms of its delivery.
The Greens-Labor agreement also calls for 12 per cent of the health budget to be spent on mental health. Yes, we certainly support quantities of money, the right money, and, if necessary, significant increases in money being spent on mental health but we do want to make sure that that is linked to outcome, that we are not just saying it is an arbitrary figure and that we do not need to provide the detail of what 12 per cent funding actually means. I would ask the minister to clarify the point. Is that 12 per cent of new funding or is that the entire health budget? That will be interesting to see.
Ms Gallagher: It is the entire health budget. We committed to it about two years ago.
MR HANSON: Thank you, minister. As I said, this does not present any outcomes. As Ms Bresnan pointed out, it does not give a whole-of-government action plan. Mental health is not just limited to the health department; there are many issues of capability that affect people afflicted with mental health issues. We would certainly call for a broader view of all of the elements that affect people with mental health issues and for all of the solutions to the problem.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .