The Hon Peter Dutton MP
Leader of The Opposition
Senator the Hon Anne Ruston
Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care
Shadow Minister for Sport
Melissa McIntosh MP
Shadow Minister for Western Sydney
Katie Mullens
Liberal Candidate for Parramatta
A Dutton Coalition Government will invest $5 million to upgrade headspace Parramatta and ensure young Australians living in Western Sydney have better access to the mental health services they deserve.
Mental health and suicide prevention remains one of the Coalition’s highest priorities.
This investment will boost capacity at headspace Parramatta, including through additional support workers and youth mentors, to ensure more young people can access free support and bring down wait times.
It will provide for an additional 8,000 visits per year at headspace Parramatta, allowing approximately 1,800 more young people in the local community to access the support they need.
The funding will also support headspace Parramatta to proactively perform community outreach activities, which will greatly benefit Western Sydney.
The Leader of the Opposition, the Hon Peter Dutton MP, said “As a former health minister who expanded headspace’s activities, I know the critical role that headspace plays for young Australians and their families who may be facing mental health challenges.
“This important investment builds on the Coalition’s proud record of strengthening the headspace network and increasing access to mental health support for young Australians,” Mr Dutton said.
Shadow Minister for Health, Senator the Hon Anne Ruston, said that by enhancing this important service, we will support more young Australians living in Western Sydney to receive the care they need for free, at a time when they desperately need it.
“Last year, a quarter of young Australians delayed or avoided seeking professional support for their mental health needs because they just could not afford it. This is not a choice young Australians should be faced with, especially at a time when Australia is facing a youth mental health crisis.”
“Labor has failed Australians when it comes to mental health, but we are committed to turning that around, Senator Ruston said.
Shadow Minister for Western Sydney, Melissa McIntosh MP, said that Western Sydney families suffered when the Albanese Labor Government ripped the Medicare funded mental health sessions away.
“Under the cost of living crisis caused by the Albanese Government, many youth in Western Sydney have not been able to afford psychology sessions.
“This incredible investment in headspace Parramatta will ensure Western Sydney kids can get mental health support when they need it.”
Liberal candidate for Parramatta, Katie Mullens, said this commitment to local mental health services showed that a Liberal Government will be focused on local community needs.
“I’ve been advocating relentlessly for more investment in mental health for Parramatta, to help people in our community who are struggling.
“It is more important than ever to invest in our mental health services, and this funding will mean that more young people will be reached and will be able to access the services and support that could save their lives.”
The Coalition continues to demonstrate our firm commitment to the mental health and wellbeing of all Australians.
We have already announced that we will restore Medicare mental health funding, after Labor ripped away affordable support from at least 372,000 vulnerable Australians.
A Dutton Coalition Government will restore the number of Medicare-subsidised mental health sessions that Australians can access from 10 back to 20, on a permanent basis.
Only a Dutton Coalition Government will make mental health a national priority and ensure all Australians, especially young Australians, have access to the affordable mental health services and support they need and deserve.