Page 1909 - Week 05 - Thursday, 6 May 2010
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but we need at least twice this amount. If we are to address the ongoing and future needs of the community in this area, much greater investment is required to prevent the cycle of crisis that can occur in the lives of people with mental illness.
The AMA, Mental Health Community Coalition and Lifeline have also spoken out in concern. Mental illness still remains a taboo subject to many people, and I applaud Lifeline’s current efforts to make the community and governments aware that mental illness is the greatest factor affecting the mortality and morbidity of Australians under the age of 44.
I would also like to note that HACC funding is not preventive funding and to include it as such is very disingenuous.
The budget for disability is fairly hit and miss. Groups are pleased to see additional funding for carers and support for autism and Asperger’s. Some funds have been allocated to the provision of government disability services and planning for the replacement of centre-based respite houses. However, growth in unmet need and demand continues, especially, it seems, in the areas of housing and post-school options. It is disappointing that the ACT government is no longer allocating a reasonable proportion of the stimulus housing to people with a disability. In looking forward, I would like to see the government build into its budget an allocation for disability growth, similar to ACT Health. Each year, for example, we see about 12 students from Black Mountain finish school, but some are unable to gain financial assistance to enter a post-school option.
With regard to ageing, the ACT Greens are pleased that the 55 Plus Club facility in Tuggeranong is funded in this year’s budget so that construction can begin. The Greens also welcome the positive ageing strategy released last year; but it is unclear how resource allocation will be prioritised in this budget.
The Greens are concerned that funding required for the increased number of people requiring community and palliative care nursing at home is not being met in this year’s budget. The increased demand for at-home care is being funded from the HACC budget, putting too much pressure on the community care system, a system already stretched. Due to the ageing of the ACT population, the demand for ageing in place will only increase. I do acknowledge that housing for older people incorporates ageing in place principles and this should address some of the demand.
The Greens welcome the government’s budget commitment to Multicultural Youth Services, although it does not go far enough. Since last year we have been working very hard to get the government to support this service. Since the social inclusion fund expired and new funding was not found in last year’s budget, the ACT Greens have been disappointed with the cutting of essential services to MYS, including the highly successful drop-in centre in Civic. We are pleased the government has now recognised the valuable service MYS provides to migrants and refugees.
The ACT Greens welcome the multicultural strategy for 2010 to 2014 released last year. However, like some of the other plans, it is unclear what initiatives in this strategy are funded in this year’s budget. Furthermore, we would like to see the
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