Matt Smith (Leichhardt, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

We know that mental health outcomes in the regions are different to those in the cities. That can come from different pressures and from different sorts of services. My region in particular has struggled under the weight of some mental health issues over the last few years as a result of natural disasters. What we found is quite interesting. From the initial damage or disaster, people got on with their lives as long as they had something to do: 'What is the next task? What is the next process? Do I have to clean up my house? Do I have to find the dog? Do I have to talk to my insurance company?' It wasn't until after the event—six months after the event on average—when the mental health issues really started to come to the forefront.

It's this sort of understanding, coming from these events, that the Anthony Albanese Labor government is really seeking to get a handle on. That is why, when the disaster funding was released, a portion of that was set aside to understand the human cost of these disasters. Ultimately, it's not just businesses, it's not just homes and it's not just roads. They can be rebuilt. The question is: what is the mental health toll going to be like? Many young people from Holloways Beach are still living in hotels, which is not a great outcome, particularly for teenagers as they're going through years 11 and 12. The entire town of Wujal Wujal was removed and then replaced, and we're still working with them. So I'm very proud of the work that the Anthony Albanese Labor government has put into the mental health space. Cairns is getting its headspace upgraded; we're getting our own Medicare mental health clinic to help assist with these things as they happen and to get a better understanding for our next lot of natural disasters.

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