It’s a pleasure to be here with you today so soon after the Budget was handed down.
Tuesday night’s budget is an ambitious and responsible budget. It builds on our first term and delivers significant investments and critical reforms to secure the future of our universal health and disability support system – Medicare, the PBS, aged care and the NDIS.
For mental health and suicide prevention, we are continuing to deliver on one of our most important election commitments – a $1.1 billion dollar investment in the health and wellbeing of all Australians.
At the last election, we made a clear promise: to expand access, close service gaps, and make sure that people – especially young people – can get the mental health support they need.
Today – one year on from the election – we’re turning that commitment into action.
We are significantly expanding the rollout of Medicare Mental Health Centres across Australia, bringing the network to 92 centres by mid-2029.
These centres are a new front door – providing free, walk-in mental health support without the need for a referral.
Implementation is well underway, with 54 centres open nationally – including recent openings in Cairns, Devonport, Ryde and Campbelltown – with Bondi moving to a permanent location next month.
We are bringing headspace closer to home for more young people – expanding the network to 203 across the country, with an additional 20 new outreach services.
We are also introducing a new model, headspace Plus – 30 of them across Australia – boosting the capacity of headspace centres to support the evolving needs of young people.
We are addressing critical service gaps for young people with a new network of 20 Youth Specialist Care Centres.
These new centres are designed for young people with mental health challenges who require ongoing, multidisciplinary and specialist care outside of hospital settings.
Alongside this, we are investing in system leadership and evidence.
The National Centre for Excellence in Youth Mental Health will become a National Institute for Youth Mental Health, strengthening research, innovation, and national coordination.
BDI’s research will help further our understanding of men’s mental health and suicide prevention.
We are also targeting support where it is needed.
Expanding the network of Perinatal Mental Health Centres, with eight new centres being established, bringing the total to 20 nationwide.
Delivered in partnership with Gidget Foundation Australia, providing free, specialised support to families during the critical perinatal period with recent openings in Elizabeth (SA), Fairfield (NSW) and Point Cook (VIC).
We are working in close partnership with Primary Health Networks, service providers, and all of you in the broader mental health sector to make sure that every commitment is delivered thoughtfully and effectively.
We are open about timelines, realistic about challenges, and focused on outcomes.
In addition to the election commitments, we have launched Medicare Mental Health Check In, a national digital service delivered by St Vincent’s Health Australia and fully funded by the government.
The service supports people living in Australia aged 16 years and over who are experiencing, or at risk of, mental health challenges, and is free, with no referral or diagnosis needed.
On 1 January this year, the website was launched, opening access to a range of evidence-based mental health resources and support.
From 30 March, Low intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (LiCBT) is being delivered via telehealth with trained mental health practitioners, and from 30 May, self-guided LiCBT modules will be available 24 hours a day, giving people greater flexibility and choice.
This is about more than delivering services.
It is about building a better system – better care, early intervention and stronger partnerships.
We made a commitment.
And step by step, service by service, community by community, we’re delivering.
Our government recognises that people with experience of mental health challenges or suicidality – and the families, carers and kin who support them – bring invaluable insight.
Their perspectives are essential to creating a system that is accessible, compassionate, and responsive to real needs.
Central to this work is the establishment of national lived experience peak bodies: the National Mental Health Consumer Alliance, Mental Health Carers Australia, and the Indigenous Australian Lived Experience Centre.
Working closely together, providing a strong voice for consumers, families, carers, kin and First Nations people in shaping services and outcomes.
Peer workers play a vital role.
Their lived experience brings unique insight, connection, expertise and trust.
That’s why we committed to help build a strong, professional peer workforce – one that is recognised and supported.
A key part of this commitment is our investment of $4.3 million dollars over three years from 2025-26 for the establishment of a new, national body – the Australian Association of Peer Workers.
Following a competitive grants process, the National Mental Health Consumer Alliance has been selected to lead the establishment of the Association, working alongside key sector partners.
I’m told recruitment is already underway, and the foundations are being laid for an organisation that will support peer workers, promote standards, and help inform peer training and career pathways.
Alongside this structural reform, we are also working to better understand the peer workforce through data and research.
The government has provided $1.6 million dollars to deliver the National Census of the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Peer Workforce – the first of its kind.
The census was launched on 18 March and recently closed, with over 1,600 responses.
This is important.
For the first time, we will have a comprehensive national picture of the peer workforce – its size, diversity, skills, and the challenges it faces. This evidence will be critical in shaping future policy, workforce planning, and investment.
The government has taken an important step by providing $277.5 million dollars in the budget to extend the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement by 12 months, through to 30 June 2027.
This extension makes sure that services continue while we work towards a new agreement.
It provides certainty for providers, jurisdictions, and most importantly, for the Australians who rely on these services.
In February 2026, Health and Mental Health Ministers jointly agreed to prioritise the development of a new National Agreement over the next 12 months.
I understand that there is a session later today to get members’ views on the next agreement, and I look forward to hearing what you have to say.
As a mental health pharmacist at a regional hospital for nearly a decade, I saw firsthand the impact mental health challenges have on people’s lives.
That experience continues to guide me in this role.
And I appreciate the work of everyone at Mental Health Australia for your contribution to good policy, constructive advocacy and service delivery.
Thank you again for inviting me to speak this morning.
I look forward to our ongoing work.