Victorian Labor promises mental health royal commission

Victorian Labor has promised a royal commission into mental health in a bid to tackle a crisis labelled a ­“national emergency”.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews with his wife Catherine in Melbourne to announce the royal commission pledge. Picture: AAP.

The Victorian government has promised a royal commission into mental health if re-elected, in a bid to tackle a crisis labelled a ­“national emergency”.

Premier Daniel Andrews said if granted a second term of government, his administration would spend $13.2 million on the commission, with the terms of reference to be established within 100 days of the new parliament.

He said it would initially focus on quality and cost of care across the healthcare system, as well as options and current offerings for early intervention.

The commission would also examine what the government could do to support families of those who are affected.

Speaking from a Men’s Shed in Kyneton on the outskirts of Melbourne, Mr Andrews said the suicides of 621 Victorians last year showed current approaches towards mental health were failing.

“If it were any other cause or condition, we would call it what it is: a national emergency,” Mr Andrews said. “It’s new mums struggling to cope. It’s men feeling alone and isolated. It’s young kids who don’t know where to turn. It’s sons and daughters, mums and dads, best mates and work colleagues. And it’s the leading cause of death for Australians aged ­between 15 and 44.”

He said it was apparent there was huge scope for improvement in the mental health support services, as well as programs helping families of those affected.

“The truth is, we don’t have the best mental health system we could — or should — have,” he said. “When there are Victorians still struggling, and families still suffering, we can do more. We must do more.”

Opposition spokeswoman for mental health Emma Kealy said funding for community health services had been cut by 18 per cent under the Andrews government.