Labor is Ripping Away Mental Health Support from Dawson
The Albanese Labor Government’s announcement that they are cutting the additional Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions introduced by the Coalition has ripped away mental health support for vulnerable Australians in Dawson
As part of our response to support Australians in tough times, the former Coalition Government doubled the number of Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions available through the Better Access initiative from 10 to 20.
Going into the holiday period with a new Covid wave peaking, the cost of living and energy bills sky rocketing, mental health support could not be more important for my local community in Dawson.
But despite the significant pressures still impacting our community, the Labor Government has decided to slash access to psychology sessions in half.
Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox said these changes are particularly worrying for my local community and I urge the Labor Government to reconsider this decision.
"Access to mental health support is critical, particularly for young people in my electorate, and this decision in the midst of the holiday season is devastating," Mr Willcox said.
“People in rural and regional Australia already face significant barriers to their health care. This is just another set back for accessible and affordable health services.”
Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator Anne Ruston said, ‘it is staggering that the Albanese Government has decided right now is a good time to rip away additional mental health support from Australians who have been relying on it.”
“Serious mental health issues are often at their highest two to three years after a crisis, pandemic or natural disaster, which is why it is absolutely vital that vulnerable Australians have continued access to the psychology sessions they need.”
To rub salt into the wounds of vulnerable Australians, the Minister for Health Mark Butler has even tried to argue that in making this thoughtless cut, they are ‘improving better access’ to mental health services.
The independent evaluation of the Better Access initiative has even recommended that ‘the additional 10 sessions should continue to be made available and should be targeted towards those with complex mental health needs.’
The Labor Government needs to stop their irresponsible attacks on the mental health services Australians are relying on and explain why they have gone against Recommendation 12 of the review, and the needs of vulnerable Australians, by cutting this support.