Wrong Again, Connie

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PDF printable version of Wrong Again, Connie (PDF 16 KB)

6 June 2011

The Shadow Minister for Ageing and Mental Health, Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, continues her embarrassing run of getting the facts wrong yet again.

In a media release issued today, Senator Fierravanti-Wells incorrectly claims that funding is being “stripped” from the Multicultural Mental Health Australia project (MMHA).

This is simply wrong – funding for this project has not been cut. Funding will continue to be provided for this project into the future.

Senator Fierravanti-Wells should apologise to the community for her false and misleading claims which are likely to create unnecessary fear and anxiety about the future of the project.

Let’s set the record straight with the facts:

Fact #1:
Funding to the Multicultural Mental Health Australia project has not been cut.

Funding will continue to be provided for this important project into the future, ensuring it continues to benefit culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

This project is currently delivered by the Sydney West Area Health Service.

Fact #2:
As part of Commonwealth Grants Guidelines, the project is subject to an open application process to determine who will deliver it into the future. This process is conducted by the Department of Health and Ageing.

This is standard practice to ensure that tax payer funded projects are delivered effectively and efficiently.

This open application process does not involve downgrades or funding cuts to the project.

The open application process was also specifically recommended by a recent independent review of the Multicultural Mental Health Australia project. This independent review raised a number of concerns about the way the project was being delivered and specifically recommended an open application process be conducted.

Once the open application process is complete, the independent review of the project will be released publicly.

Fact #3:
The Gillard Labor Government has provided more than $1.7 million for the Multicultural Mental Health Australia project over the last 3 years and will continue supporting the mental health needs of our culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

The Gillard Labor Government has also delivered the nation’s largest single investment in mental health spending in this year’s budget. This will provide significant benefits to all Australians, including those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

For more information, contact Mr Butler’s office 02 6277 7280