Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Fierravanti-Wells for her question in this important area of mental health. The opposition and the government agree that mental health is an important issue. Mental illness causes great suffering in the Australian community, including tragic loss of life through suicides. The direct and indirect economic costs are also significant.

The Gillard government has been leading in this area. It has made significant additional investments in mental health during its first term. This includes $1.2 billion for specific mental health programs over the next four years. In addition to the commitments contained in the 2010 budget, the Prime Minister committed a $277 billion package to tackle suicide.

During the election campaign, Labor made it clear that there was more to do in the area of mental health. Everyone would agree that more should be done for those who suffer mental illness. In this area it would be a particular priority for a second-term Gillard government. This includes the recent appointment of the mental health minister. The task of the mental health minister, who I am representing here in this chamber, is about ensuring leadership in this very serious area.

We are committed to building on the work done in our first term and to making lasting reform to mental health care which will provide the services that consumers and their families need. We will also ensure that existing programs and investments work as effectively as possible, given that there now is a minister with direct responsibility in this area, I expect that not only—(Time expired)