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

On Wednesday, 27 October, Senator Fierravanti-Wells asked me a question without notice on funding for Lifeline. I seek leave to incorporate the answer in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The answer read as follows—

The Government has committed $18.2m for Lifeline which will fund 3 core activities. It will: build capacity for more calls to be responded to through the 13 11 14 crisis support line; provide a dedicated suicide line at hotspots; and support toll free calls from mobile phones. The breakdown of how the dollars will be apportioned across these three activities is currently being scoped with Lifeline. Funding is for 3 years, commencing in July 2011.

With regard to toll free calls from mobiles—Lifeline has commenced discussions with telecommunication providers and is seeking to be able to commence offering free calls from mobiles, at least through some networks, early next financial year.