Thursday 5 December 2024
The Allan Labor Government has failed to implement critical recommendations from the 2021 Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, leaving vulnerable Victorians without the support they need.
Key recommendations – such as addressing services for older Victorians, establishing trauma care, and improving digital mental health systems – are up to two years behind schedule.
With 51 of the 72 total recommendations now overdue, the revised phasing is simply Labor-code for scrapping their commitment to giving Victorians the mental health system they deserve.
Local mental health hubs promised in the May Budget remain stalled, while a critical commitment to establish lived experience-led agencies has been pushed back to 2025-26.
The Liberals and Nationals proposed an inquiry to assess the progress of key recommendations from the Royal Commission, but Labor blocked it in a blatant political move.
Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Emma Kealy, labelled Labor’s mishandling of the reforms as a clear example of broken promises and poor governance.
“Labor has simply changed the timeline to justify their own delays,” Ms Kealy said.
“This sadly reeks of putting politics ahead of the wellbeing of vulnerable Victorians trying to access the mental health system.”
Victorians continue to contribute nearly $1 billion annually through the mental health levy, yet promised reforms remain undelivered.
“Labor has been quick to collect public money but has broken their promise to fix the mental health system.
“Labor needs to be honest, admit they’ve made mistakes, and give Victorians a clear timeline for when these reforms will be completed,” Ms Kealy said.
“We live in a time when there is a broad understanding of mental health and the challenges it presents, yet Labor continues to reject prioritising meaningful action to address it.”
Labor can’t manage mental health and Victorians are paying the price.
Media contact: Dominic McDermott 0448 163 006 dominic.mcdermott@opposition.vic.gov.au