Legislative Council Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1) 53 1 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Answers to Questions MATES in Construction Mates in Construction The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS Legislative Council Mates in Construction In reply to the Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (18 June 2014). The Hon. I.K. HUNTER Legislative Council Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Mates in Construction The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation): The Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse has received this advice: 1.	The minister's office was first involved in discussions with the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) as they sought to engage with Mates in Construction (Queensland) in the development of a similar program in South Australia. The CFMEU had become involved in the development of the South Australian Suicide Prevention Strategy 2012-2016: Every life is worth living. SA Health provides support to Mates in Construction through Ms Lynne James, Principal Project Officer Suicide Prevention, Mental Health Unit, SA Health, who is a foundation member of the Mates in Construction SA Board which established the South Australian Mates in Construction team and provides ongoing leadership. The SA Government supports the continued funding of Mates in Construction through the National Suicide Prevention Strategy funding. Federally funded Suicide Prevention Funding has not been distributed on a population based model and the SA Government urges the Federal Government to consider this and maintain the level of funding provided to Mates in Construction SA. 2.	The South Australian Government commends the work of Mates in Construction SA and encourages all construction sites to participate in the program. The SA Government is committed to the program of Mates in Construction SA to reduce the rate of suicide in the construction industry workforce.