Mental health is a key priority for many voters in Bean, in line with recent polling for Mental Health Australia that showed 75% of people eligible to vote think the Government needs to do more. Experts say there is a massive underfunding of mental health and that increased investment would have huge benefit. In 2024, a staggering 1 in 5 people and 1 in 7 of young people had experienced a mental health disorder in the previous 12 months, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

We need to substantially increase access to free and high-quality mental health support, as well as address chronic underfunding, unmet demand and underlying causes – not least a critical mental health workforce shortage.

I welcome the election initiatives of both major parties and the Greens on new or expanded services, including Labor’s 1,200 training places, the Greens’ significant pledge to make mental health free under Medicare, and the LNP’s plan to restore the number of Medicare-subsidised mental health sessions from 10 to 20. I want an incoming government to improve our mental health system for all Australians in a holistic way, and ensure there is a skilled workforce to help.

If I am elected to represent you, I’ll explore all good initiatives on mental health and fight for them to be implemented. My positive policies to push the major parties on issues such as gambling reform, reforms to bulk billing in the ACT, housing affordability, cost of living, and climate change action will also contribute to better mental health in Bean.