Scroll down for the Minister’s response, or click here to discover more about how we’re working for Wendouree.

Original constituency question from Juliana Addison MP to Parliament –

My constituency question is directed to the Minister for Mental Health and is regarding the implementation of the recommendations from the 2021 landmark Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System and how that is benefiting my constituents in Wendouree.

The royal commission was established in 2019 in recognition of the Labor government’s commitment to improving the system for Victorians living with mental illness or psychological distress, their carers, their families and supporters as well as our mental health workers. In the 2021 royal commission final report 65 recommendations were included, in addition to the nine interim report recommendations. I am proud that our government committed to implementing all recommendations, and these are already well underway, and we are delivering on them.

Minister, how is the implementation of the royal commission’s recommendations delivering a better mental health system for the Ballarat community?

Response from Ingrid Stitt MP, Minister for Mental Health (27 May 2024) –

I thank the member for Wendouree for their question and I am pleased to reply that the Allan Labor Government has made significant progress towards implementing the recommendations of the Royal Commission into the Victorian Mental Health and Wellbeing system with work having commenced on more than 90 per cent of its recommendations.

We have not wasted a day working to build our state’s new mental health system, as we deliver on every single one of the 74 recommendations of the Royal Commission, backed in by over $6 billion of investment, the largest investment in Australia’s history.

This is a bold reform agenda which can’t be achieved over night. It will take ongoing action, effort and commitment, but we rem􀁈in committed to the task.

Work has commenced on a range of Royal Commission recommendations that improve the state’s mental health and wellbeing services, including the launch of new services as well as expansion of existing services.

This includes $196 million allocated in the Victorian State Budget 2022-23 to deliver 15 more mental health acute beds in Shepparton and plan for additional beds in Ballarat and Wangaratta. This responds to recommendation 11 from the Royal Commission Final Report.

We have also delivered eight new Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Centres (Connect Centres) across each region in Victoria to provide much needed supports for families, carers, supporters and kin of people with mental health and substance use challenges. This includes the Grampians Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect, delivered by Mind Australia in partnership with Ballarat Community Health and Grampians Community Health. This great work responds to recommendation 8 from the Royal Commission Final Report.

The Labor Government has additionally invested $141 million to deliver new and refurbished youth prevention and recovery care (YPARC) centres across the state. YPARC services provide treatment, care and support to young people aged 16-25 who are experiencing mental health challenges and/or psychological distress. The final report from the Royal Commission recommended there be a YPARC facility in each Victorian region. Planning for construction of Ballarat’s new 10-bed centre is currently underway and once complete, will deliver on Recommendation 21 of the Royal Commission’s Final Report.

The 2024-25 State Budget invested $5.4 million to integrate a new hub with the new emergency department being delivered as part of the current Balla rat Base Hospital Redevelopment, and planning and development works continuing for the projects at Bendigo and Shepparton. The hubs are directly responding to the needs of people with mental health, drug and alcohol problems who seek help in emergency departments and recommendation 8(3)(c) of the Royal Commission’s Final Report.

We are delivering Mental Health and Wellbeing Local Services across the State,
ensuring all Victorians will have free, easy to access mental health care and support close to home, whenever they need it – without making them jump through hoops like a GP referral or meeting eligibility criteria. This responds to recommendation 3 from the Royal Commission Final Report.

Planning work is underway and will continue for future Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals, and importantly, the 2024-25 State Budget invests in continuing Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs in areas that a Mental Health and Wellbeing Local is yet to be established. This includes a Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub in Ballarat, operated by Uniting Ballarat, where people who need help can access it by telehealth or receive face to face support via appointments and walk-ins.

This is a long-term, 10-year reform journey and we know there is more work to be done. We remain focused on implementing all 7 4 of the Royal Commission’s recommendations and continuing to improve the mental health and wellbeing system for all Victorians – including those in Wendouree.

Watch and read more of my speeches to Parliament here, including responses from ministers on how we’re working for Wendouree.