HEALTH BUDGET

131 Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite) (17 July 2012). With respect to 2012-13 Budget Paper 4, vol. 3, p. 31—

1. Why was there a $12.2 million increase in expenses from 2011-12 to 2012-13 and in particular, what has been achieved through the National Partnership agreement to improve the public hospital services program?

2. Why was the $3.4 million Supported Accommodation Program delayed?

3. Why did the Home and Community Care Programme in 2011-12 accrue $1.3 million dollars of additional income matched by an equivalent amount of expenditure?

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health and Ageing, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts): I am advised:

1. The $12.2 million increase in expenditure from 2011-12 to 2012-13 relates to the variance in operating expenditure budget across mental health programs funded by both the Commonwealth and State Governments. The variance primarily relates to the timing of projected expenditure ($15.4 million) between 2011-12 and 2012-13 under the Council of Australian Governments' The National Health Reform Agreement—National Partnership Agreement on Improving Public Hospital Services (the Partnership Agreement), which is partially offset by deferred expenditure related to the State-funded Supported Accommodation program ($3.4 million). This deferred expenditure relates to delays in the construction of housing.

The $15.4 million referred to in the 2012-13 Budget Papers relates to the variance in operating expenditure budget from 2011-12 to 2012-13 for three of the six sub-acute mental health projects funded under the Partnership Agreement. These include: supported accommodation services across metropolitan and country areas, three early intervention mental health crisis respite facilities and two Community Rehabilitation Centres in the country.

Greater expenditure is planned for 2012-13 compared with 2011-12, consistent with the progress of implementing these projects.

Service models for all six projects have been developed in conjunction with key stakeholders. Ahead of the implementation of these projects, the Partnership Agreement has funded a state-wide mental health de-stigmatisation media campaign to raise awareness of mental health illness in the community. This campaign commenced in February 2012 and is being rolled out over two financial years. It includes radio and television advertising across metropolitan and country areas.

2. The primary reason for the delays with the Supported Accommodation Housing construction program was the delayed development approval by local government authorities.

3. SA Health took over administration of the Home and Community Care Program Mental Health Project on 1 July 2011. The budget allocation for 2011-12 was $1.3 million. The service agreement with a non-government organisation service provider was to the value of $1.3 million, which was fully expended within the 2011-12 financial year.