Fatima Payman (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak about Mental Health Australia's Report to the nation for 2023Starting on a positive note, the report highlights that, in 2023, more Australians reported feeling capable, happy, part of a community and able to seek support. In 2023, improvements were also made amongst Australians accessing varied support services, with more of us seeing a GP, using digital services, seeing a professional such as a psychologist and looking for online self-help information and support. Unfortunately, the report also underscores that 58 per cent of Australians reported the rising cost of living as having a big impact on their mental health. There are groups who are particularly vulnerable to the crisis, and the report suggests that First Nations people were most impacted, with a rate 16 per cent higher than the general population. These discrepancies are not new, but we must address them so that Australians can strive for good mental health and equal access to support.

I am confident, when I look at the decisions and policies of the Albanese government and the leadership of the mental health assistant minister, Emma McBride, that Labor will champion significant improvements in this space. Everyone has a role to play to ensure Australians have better mental health and can access support when they need it. I thank Mental Health Australia for their important work.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That concludes senators' statements. We will move to question time.