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$41.5 million postal marriage survey underspend must go into LGBTIQ mental health services: Greens

Rachel Siewert 18 Dec 2017

It has been revealed in the Government Mid-Year Economic Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) that the marriage equality postal survey came in $41.5m under budget; this must now go towards mental health services for LGBTIQ people, the Australian Greens said today. 

“While we are all overjoyed about finally achieving marriage equality in Australia, this survey should never have happened in the first place and it was a huge outlay of tax payer money for an unnecessary exercise that hurt our LGBTIQ communities,” said Senator Janet Rice, the Australian Greens LGBTIQ spokesperson.

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Senate supports $20 million from postal survey redirected to mental health services

Rachel Siewert 29 Nov 2017

The Australian Greens have secured senate support for a motion calling for the $20 million not spent in the marriage equality postal survey to be directed to mental health services.  

“The marriage equality survey came in $20 million under budget, meanwhile mental health services were put under immense pressure due to the scrutiny inflicted on the LGBTIQ community, having a significant impact on their mental health”, Australian Greens spokesperson on Mental Health Senator Rachel Siewert said today.  

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Australian Greens call on the Government to invest $20 million left over from postal survey into mental health services for LGBTIQ people

Rachel Siewert 16 Nov 2017

While we are all overjoyed about the postal survey result yesterday, this survey should never have happened in the first place and it was a huge waste of tax payer money.

“There are reports that the marriage equality postal survey came in $20 million under budget, said Senator Janet Rice, the Australian Greens LGBTIQ spokesperson.

“Many LGBTIQ people will remain scarred by the traumatic ordeal the Government has put them through. Mr Turnbull could start making amends by investing this $20 million into mental health services for LGBTIQ people.

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Greens respond to Christian Group lobbying for freedom to discriminate against people with mental illness

Rachel Siewert 13 Jun 2017

“It is unbelievable to think that anyone would want more opportunity to discriminate against people with mental ill health, but that’s apparently exactly the case for FamilyVoice.

“I am gobsmacked that this organisation thinks that upsetting a church service is a reason to unbolt protections for people who are struggling. People with mental ill health should not be discriminated against, they need increased supports and understanding.

“This is cruel and further entrenches stereotypes when so many people are working to do the opposite”.  

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Mental illness "one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century"

Rachel Siewert 19 Apr 2017

"The findings of the Mission Australia and Black Dog Five Year Mental Health Youth Report that almost one in four young people are likely to have a serious mental health problem confirms yet again the need for a strong commitment to mental health funding by the Turnbull Government", Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

"We urgently need strong targets and programs in schools and universities. It is deeply concerning but not surprising that young women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are disproportionately affected.

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The NT Government should re-assess funding decision for LifeLine

Rachel Siewert 11 Oct 2016

It was devastating to hear on World Mental Health Day that a refusal to increase funding for Lifeline Top End in the Northern Territory has resulted in the shopfront closing its doors, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert today.

“On World Mental Health day it was particularly saddening that an important service that provided face to face counselling and community engagement closed because the Northern Territory Government refused to increase funding, this was a cruel and I would say dangerous decision.

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This World Mental Health Day the Government should announce strong plan to reduce suicide rates

Rachel Siewert 10 Oct 2016

On World Mental Health Day Australian Greens Mental Health spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert is calling on the Government to make clear its plan to reduce climbing suicide rates.

“Today Government should reflect on how to reduce increasing suicides rates in this country. We recently learned that suicide rates are at a ten year high, this should urgently jolt the Government into action.

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Suicide rates at ten year high shows more work to do and should prompt a national suicide prevention target: Greens

Rachel Siewert 29 Sep 2016

Suicide rates hitting a devastating ten year high should jolt the Government into implementing a national suicide prevention target whilst addressing what else we need to be doing, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

“At a time when so many people are working hard to focus on mental health and suicide rates, it is devastating that suicide rates have hit a ten year high.

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Greens call for national suicide prevention target for World Suicide Prevention Day

Rachel Siewert 10 Sep 2016

In the lead up to World Suicide Prevention Day Australian Greens Mental Health spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert is calling on the Government to adopt a national suicide prevention target.

“For the past 10 years, the suicide rate in Australia has not dropped. Action is needed to address the tragedy of people talking their own lives.

“The theme this year is connect, communicate and care, as Suicide Prevention Australia points out, these three words are at the heart of suicide prevention.

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