The Allan Labor Government is failing to provide critical mental health support for Victorians in crisis.
The Nationals’ Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath, slammed the Allan Labor Government for its refusal to increase Lifeline Victoria funding and deliver 13YARN Indigenous crisis support out of Victoria.
Ms Bath said over 30 percent of all calls to Lifeline’s crisis support line came from Victorians, yet Lifeline Victoria only has the funding capacity to answer only 12.5 percent of the call volume.
“Unlike Queensland, which has provided additional funding, the Allan Labor Government has refused to act despite a budget request from Lifeline Australia.
“The Allan Government talks about mental health but refuses to properly fund the services that actually support Victorians in crisis.
“Our local Lifeline Gippsland volunteers have been supporting people in distress for almost 60 years.”
Ms Bath recently met with Lifeline Australia Executive, Emma Carr, and Auntie Marjorie Anderson, who developed the 13YARN program, to discuss the urgent need for additional state funding.
During Question Time, Ms Bath highlighted that 13YARN – a 24/7 national Indigenous crisis helpline cannot take calls from within Victoria.
Ms Bath said Labor’s failure to fund 13YARN means Indigenous Victorians are missing out on the mental health benefits and employment opportunities a Victorian based program would deliver.
“Labor is also ignoring key recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, which called for better coordination of crisis services.
“By failing to act, Labor is allowing our community based mental health services to struggle – contradicting the very recommendations the government promised to implement.”
Labor can’t manage mental health, and Victorians are paying the price.
