Mental Health Services

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:46): Supplementary: does the minister think it's the responsibility of mental health clients to identify and bring to the department's attention, or does he think that's something that the government should be doing?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:46): I am not sure what the honourable Leader of the Opposition is suggesting. Should we raid the houses of people with mental health issues, making sure that they have got their NDIS plan that's fully funded and they are getting the service? I don't know if we need a search warrant.

What we are saying is that we stand ready to help. We are not going to control your life, unlike the Labor Party, which wants to keep block funding organisations for an indefinite future. We are committed to this transition. We are realistic that there will be challenges to transfer clients to clients. That's why the Chief Psychiatrist stands ready. He is part of the state government, quietly.

I don't know what the opposition wants. We have a Chief Psychiatrist with a team that is standing ready to support clients where there is a continuity of support issue. We have given almost $100,000 to the peak body for non-government organisations that work in the area of mental health to make sure that they can strengthen the capacity of the industry to respond to the transition issues that they are facing. I believe that this government is committed to delivering real reform and supporting mental health consumers and organisations in that transition.