Pat Conroy (Shortland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence Industry) Share this | Hansard source

Mental health is something that touches every family, every workplace, every school and every part of our community. It's something we need to talk about openly, honestly and locally. In my electorate of Shortland, covering parts of Lake Macquarie in the Central Coast, I've seen firsthand the struggles that people face, whether it's a young person battling anxiety, a parent under pressure, someone doing it tough financially or an older Australian feeling isolated. There are real challenges faced by real people in our community. So, when my community told me they needed better mental health support, I took that seriously.

That's why the Albanese Labor government is delivering a free Medicare mental health centre in Shortland—so people can get the help they need when they need it, close to home. This centre will be open to everyone—no referral, no appointment and no out-of-pocket cost. Just walk in and get the help you need, because mental health care shouldn't be a luxury. It should be accessible, affordable and local, not just for people in the big cities but for people in the regions too. These centres will relieve pressure on families and the broader health system by providing a one-stop hub for support. They'll be staffed by mental health nurses, psychologists, peer support workers and other allied health professionals, working together to deliver tailored, expert care. Whether someone is in crisis or simply in need of someone to talk to, they'll find a team ready to respond quickly, compassionately and effectively. People will be assessed onsite and connected to the right evidence based care.

That might be short-term support, longer-term help or a referral to other local services. This is part of our broader commitment to strengthen Medicare and invest in the health of every Australian, because mental health is health. We're not just talking about better mental health care; we're delivering it. The centre can also help connect locals with other services to provide support over the long term, like housing or help finding a job. These centres are built to look at the whole picture and make sure people have the right support to move forward.

We want fewer people falling through the cracks, less pressure on our hospitals and more lives changed for the better. That's what good government does. It acts, and it delivers real outcomes for real people. Under Labor, that's exactly what we'll continue to do.

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