The Chair of Mental Health Australia has resigned because the Labor government has failed to take sufficient action on mental health policy.
The Australian Greens agree that the government is failing people in Australia when it comes to proactive policies that would improve our communities' mental health.
The Greens plan includes investing $4.8 billion to ensure mental healthcare is fully covered under Medicare by providing unlimited sessions with a psychologist or psychiatrist with no out-of-pocket fees so everyone can get the support they need, when they need it, at every stage of their mental health journey.
Quotes attributed to Senator Jordon Steele-John, Greens Spokesperson for Health
"The Labor government's obsession with providing billions in handouts to weapons companies instead of investing in our communities has left millions of Australians struggling.
"Last Week Defence Minister Richard Marles announced an additional $50 Billion in funding to accelerate long-range missiles and targeting systems, as well as lethal autonomous systems. This $50 billion could have instead provided free and unlimited mental health care to every resident in Perth and across the country for a century.
"We are experiencing a mental health crisis in this country and instead of getting rid of the arbitrary division between mental health and physical health this government has cut Medicare subsidised psychologist sessions by half."
"The Greens want to end the creeping Americanisation of Australia's healthcare system and bring mental healthcare fully under Medicare so it's your medicare card and not your bank balance that determines whether you can get the support you need when you need it."
Quotes attributed to Sophie Greer, Greens Candidate for Perth
"Our community here in Perth are struggling right now and the cost of living crisis is having a significant effect on the mental wellbeing of our community."
"During COVID the increase in subsidised psychologist sessions was a relief for so many residents who were struggling. It's unbelievable that the Labor government, including our local member, would support reducing people's access to affordable mental health care."
"1 in 2 people in Australia experience a mental health condition in their lifetime, and our Perth community is in urgent need of more community mental health support.
"The Greens plan will see a huge investment into our healthcare system, it'll support our local mental health workforce and ensure people can access mental health support, including access to psychology or psychiatry sessions free of charge when they need it."
