Ali France (Dickson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

We all know that looking after your mental health is so incredibly important. I've spoken before in the House about my own struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety after I lost my leg in 2011 and about how I struggled to get out of the house, didn't drive for nearly three years and struggled to get back to work. Mental health is a key component to our health, our wellbeing and our prosperity. I did get back to work as a result of constant psychological support, but that is not everyone's reality. Many people go without the support they need. Socioeconomic status, living conditions and employment status can often impact the likelihood of a person experiencing a mental disorder and whether they are able to get access to services and help. Our government, the Albanese Labor government, understands this.

Over seven years of doorknocking, I heard time and again that my community wanted more access to bulk-billed, immediate mental health services, which is why our government is putting bulk-billed mental health care into Medicare and walk-in services in the heart of our communities. At the election, we made a historic commitment to invest $1.1 billion to deliver new and expanded mental health services across the country. This includes the new Medicare mental health centre at Strathpine, which I was lucky enough to visit on Friday with the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. It is walk-in and bulk-billed, with no appointment or cash needed, and, with access to psychologists and psychiatrists, the new Medicare mental health centre at Strathpine will help thousands of locals in Dickson. Strathpine is one of three newly launched Medicare mental health centres in the Moreton Bay region, along with Redcliffe and Caboolture, and I've got news for the member for McPherson: they are all fully staffed and ready to take patients.

There are currently 43 Medicare mental health centres open nationally, including 11 across Queensland, and we're also getting a brand new centre in Everton Hills in Dickson, which will be open later in the year. In this term, the Albanese government is establishing 31 new and upgraded Medicare mental health centres, taking the total number of Medicare mental health centres to 91. That's 91 investments in better mental health supports for Australians who need it. Whether you've experienced mental health challenges in the past or this is your first time reaching out for support, everyone is welcome. The centres provide a safe and welcoming place where everyone can access free and confidential services and support. They're open for extended hours, there is no appointment or referral needed and they are co-designed with a range of stakeholders, ensuring services meet the needs of local communities like mine in Dickson.

Our investment in the Medicare mental health system is just one part of the Albanese Labor government's commitment to strengthening Medicare. We're making medicines cheaper, bringing the cost of PBS scripts down to just $25 or $7.70 for concession card holders—the same price as 2004. We're opening more Medicare urgent care clinics, bringing the total to 90 across Australia. We are also enhancing the clinical capacity of services to better support Australians with complex mental health needs. This includes boosting the availability of free consultations with psychologists and psychiatrists. Anyone living in Australia can also call Medicare Mental Health to speak to a trained professional for advice, support and connection to services that best suit their needs.

On this side of the House, we know just how important Medicare is, and we will always work to strengthen it. The same can't be said for those opposite. Who could forget the proposed $7 co-payment for GP visits, pathology and imaging services the coalition tried to implement when they were in government? They also terminated payments to the states for preventive health. They reversed public hospital funding and reduced payments to doctors to discourage bulk-billing. The member for Grey conveniently left out of his speech that under the coalition they froze the Medicare rebates for GPs for over five years. They sat on their hands and watched as the cost of going to the GP went through the roof. The Albanese government will never stop strengthening Medicare, because Medicare is Labor's heart.

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