ADJOURNMENT

Ms BERRY (Whitlam) (19:45): Mental health is one of the defining health challenges of our time. Almost every Australian will, at some point in their life, be touched by mental ill health, whether it's personally, through a family member, through a friend, through a colleague or through someone in our community. For too long, mental health care in Australia has been difficult to access, too expensive for many people and particularly challenging for those living in regional and rural communities.

That's why the Albanese Labor government has made mental health a central part of its commitment to strengthening Medicare. The government's approach is based on one simple principle: mental health care should be available when people need it regardless of their postcode or their ability to pay. One of the most significant incentives has been the establishment and expansion of Medicare mental health centres.

These centres provide free mental health support without the need for an appointment or a referral. They provide a new front door into the mental health system and help people who may be experiencing distress, anxiety, depression or more complex mental health challenges. As of August 2026, Medicare mental health centres have delivered more than 500,000 free walk-in appointments across Australia.

More Australians than ever are accessing free mental health support as the government continues to strengthen Medicare. In the last 12 months, almost 24,000 Australians have access support through Medicare mental health centres on more than 230,000 occasions. Without Medicare mental health centres, many of these Australians would've faced out-of-pocket costs for care or may not have had any support at all.

In total, nearly 50,000 Australians have now turned to Medicare mental health centres for free mental health support, with most presenting for anxiety and mild depression. Medicare mental health centres provide immediate support without the need for a referral or a prebooked appointment, which makes it easier for Australians to get the help they need where they are.

To make sure no Australian misses out, the government is continuing to expand the Medicare mental health centre network by investing an additional $267 million to roll out 32 new or upgraded centres. This will take our network to 92 centres across Australia by mid 2030. Staffed by highly trained teams of psychologists, counsellors, social workers, mental health nurses and peer workers, the centres provide a welcoming place where Australians can access free support close to home.

For communities outside the major metropolitan centres, like communities in my electorate of Whitlam, this investment is particularly important. Regional Australians can face longer distances, fewer mental health professionals and longer waiting times in relation to getting the care that they need. A Medicare mental health centre is operating in my electorate of Whitlam.

Since it opened, the Shellharbour Medicare Mental Health Centre has seen more than 12,000 presentations. This is about bringing mental health care closer to where people live. The government has also recognised that not everyone experiencing psychological distress needs the same level of treatment.

Some people need intensive clinical intervention. Other people may need early, relatively low-level support before problems escalate. That is why the government has introduced the Medicare Mental Health Check In, which is a free early intervention service for Australians aged 16 and over.

It provides access to evidence based, low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy, including support that can be accessed online. Australians are changing the way that we think about mental health. We are recognising that mental health is just as important as physical health.

Our government wants to make it easier for someone to say, 'I need help,' without feeling ashamed. There is, of course, much more work to do. Demand for mental health services remains high.

Workforce shortages continue, particularly in regional areas. The Albanese government will remain focused on providing the practical support that people need. Our government is investing in a more accessible stepped system of mental health care from early intervention through to psychological treatment and more intensive services.

Most importantly, we're putting mental health firmly within the concept of Medicare. Health care based on need not on your capacity to pay.