Home

Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard makes bold proposal for mental health reform

Catie McLeodNCA NewsWire
Not Supplied
Camera IconNot Supplied Credit: Supplied

Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard is calling for a new mental health regulator to be set up to improve the transparency of a “patchwork” system that is failing to meet the needs of many Australians.

Ms Gillard, who chairs the mental health awareness organisation Beyond Blue, gave a presentation on mental health reform at the Committee for Economic Development of Australia on Thursday in which she said future generations would need more support than ever before.

Beyond Blue wants to see the National Mental Health Commission redesigned as a stand-alone statutory body to act as a watchdog for the sector and evaluate its performance.

“It must be independent, providing frank and fearless advice and regular report cards to governments, ensuring all jurisdictions make their commitment,” Ms Gillard said from London.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

“Its role and powers should be outlined in the new national mental health and suicide prevention agreement and linked to agreed outcomes and priorities.”

Former Prime Minister and Beyond Blue Chair Julia Gillard has outlined three key policy reforms for mental health. Picture: Supplied
Camera IconFormer Prime Minister and Beyond Blue Chair Julia Gillard has outlined three key policy reforms for mental health in her CEDA presentation. Supplied Credit: Supplied

The redesigned national regulator is one of three key policy reforms that Beyond Blue wants to see set out in the agreement, which Ms Gillard said was due to be finalised by the Morrison government in November.

Beyond Blue is also calling for better co-ordination of the mental health system across all levels of government, with funding able to be scaled up and down where and when it is needed as it is for the public hospital system.

Thirdly, Ms Gillard proposed rebuilding a “compassionate system” which is co-designed by the people who use it.

“Out response must reflect that secure work, a safe and stable place to call home, food on the table, and meaningful connection are every bit as important as access to services,” she said.

The Commonwealth government earlier this year pledged an investment of $2.3 billion for the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan, in response to the findings of two landmark reports investigating suicide and the mental wellbeing of Australians.

The Hon. Greg Hunt MP Presser
Camera IconFormer Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt earlier this year. Andrew Henshaw Credit: News Corp Australia

The Productivity Commission calculated in 2019 that mental illness across costs the country’s economy at least $200 billion a year in healthcare costs and lost economic participation.

Ms Gillard welcomed the Morrison government’s commitment and record budget announcements.

“But it must be delivered with urgency and ambition, and it will need to be enduring,” she said.

Her call comes after a difficult 18 months for Australians, where the coronavirus pandemic has seen unprecedented distress, loneliness and demand for mental health services.

“There is not a single Australian who has been left untouched by the challenges of this pandemic. Economically, psychologically, and socially,” Ms Gillard said.

“But we also have a chance to use this as an inflection point to shape a stronger nation that prospers by prioritising the mental health and wellbeing of its people.”

Originally published as Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard makes bold proposal for mental health reform

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails