Anne Urquhart (Braddon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

October was Mental Health Month, a time to reflect on and to raise awareness of the wellbeing of every Australian. It's a time to speak openly, to listen deeply and to act with compassion. In my electorate of Braddon, we have a powerful reason to celebrate. We just marked a major milestone for mental health care in our region, with the official opening, alongside Assistant Minister Emma McBride, of the new Medicare mental health centre in Devonport. This isn't just another health facility; it's a lifeline, a place where people in distress can walk through the door and find support without barriers, without judgement and without delay.

For too long, mental health support has been out of reach for many Tasmanians, particularly in our regional areas. We've heard the stories of long wait times, referral requirements and those cost barriers—people struggling in silence, unsure where to turn or unable to afford the help that they need. That's not good enough, and it's not the kind of Australia we want to build. The Devonport Medicare mental health centre changes that. It offers free, walk-in support, with no appointment, no referral and no treatment plan required—just help when and where it's needed most. The model of care is built around the individual. It's staffed by a team of clinicians and peer workers—people with both professional expertise and lived experience. Together they provide support that is compassionate, timely and tailored to each person's needs. Whether someone is experiencing a crisis or seeking ongoing care, the centre is ready to respond. It's a safe space, a welcoming space and a place where people are seen, heard and supported.

I'm proud to say that we'll take a major step forward soon with the opening of a new Medicare mental health centre in Burnie. This centre will join the growing network of Medicare mental health centres across Australia designed to fill critical gaps in the mental health system and reduce that pressure on our hospital emergency departments. Its establishment reflects the Albanese Labor government's commitment to delivering accessible, community based mental health support, particularly in regional areas like Braddon. This is deeply personal for our community. We've seen the toll that mental distress can take, especially in our regional areas, where services are limited. But that stigma still lingers, because of our small communities. We know that mental health doesn't discriminate. It affects young people, parents, older Australians, workers and carers. It actually affects all of us, and we know that when people reach out for help they deserve to find it close to home.

Across the country, the Albanese government is delivering more mental health services right in the heart of our communities. As part of our plan to strengthen Medicare, we've made an historic $1.1 billion commitment to expand mental health services across the whole lifespan. This includes 91 Medicare mental health centres offering that free, walk-in care from a multidisciplinary team—and, as I said, we've got one in Devonport and are really excited that we'll be opening one very soon in Burnie—20 perinatal mental health centres supporting new and expectant parents; 17 Medicare mental health kids hubs helping children and families with behavioural, emotional and social wellbeing; and 203 headspace services supporting young people aged 12 to 15. We have an expanded headspace service right in Burnie.

We're not stopping there. We're investing an additional $72.7 million to boost headspace services right across the nation, giving our young Australians quicker access to the free mental health support that they need when they need it. This funding will add more staff to meet growing demand, expand individual and group therapies, and improve infrastructure to create safe, welcoming spaces. I found that really important in terms of the Medicare health hub in Devonport, where, when you walked in, you felt a really relaxing, calm environment. That's really important, particularly for young people. It will also enhance inclusive support for First Nations youth, for LGBTIQA+ individuals and our CALD communities.

I'm especially proud to say that Burnie will be home to one of those 30 headspace services that I talked about as being uplifted to headspace Plus—providing enhanced care for young people experiencing severe mental health issues, right in our community. They don't have to travel. It's a really difficult time for young people when they have mental health issues and then have to find the care that they need right in their own community. That's what this delivers. We know that regional communities need to be able to access services. Expanding these facilities in Burnie will mean much more support for young people aged 12 to 25 right where it's needed most. I've sat down with the health and support people in the Burnie health space and they are excited about reaching out more broadly from Burnie, right across the community of Braddon. I'm excited about that.

From early next year we'll also roll out a national early intervention service, providing free phone and online support from trained professionals. That's expected to help more than 150,000 Australians each year. We are layering the assistance. People can walk in or they can get on the phone, and they can get the service they need without long waiting lists.

We're also investing in the workforce that makes this care possible. Without fantastic health workers in this area, we just can't do the sorts of things that we want to do. We're investing in that workforce with over 4,000 psychology scholarships, internships and training places and investing in new support to professionalise the peer workforce. We value that lived experience. When we opened the Medicare Mental Health Centre in Devonport recently, I met a fabulous support worker who has had lived experience. I think it makes the journey for someone with a mental health condition much easier if they can actually speak to someone who has had that lived experience as well. We know that peer workers bring something powerful to the table: empathy and understanding, which then provides hope for people. Next year we'll establish a peer workforce association and conduct a national census of peer workers to better support and grow this vital part of our mental health system and provide the support that those workers need.

As we expand the range of free services, we're making it easier for Australians to find that right support. The Medicare Mental Health national phone service number, 1800595212, and the website, medicarementalhealth.gov.au, are there to help people connect with the care that they need. With a phone call or a tap on a website you've got the help that you need. You can go and find them and navigate through.

Mental Health Month reminds us that wellbeing is not a luxury. It is a right. With every new centre, every new service and every new conversation, we're building a stronger and more compassionate Australia. But we should also say that every day is a chance to look after our own and others' mental health—not just for the month of October, but all year round.

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