The Nationals’ Senator for NSW, Fiona Nash has dismissed today’s Mental Health announcement by Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, as too little, too late.

 

“This is just an election campaign stunt,” Senator Nash said.

 

“If Labor really cared about improving mental health services in regional communities they would have brought their mental health plan into action when they were elected into power in 2007.”

 

“Instead the only thing the Labor Government has ‘moved forward’ is their complete disregard for evidence based mental health research endorsed by professionals in the mental health sector.”

 

The Prime Minister was handed a blueprint by mental health advocate Professor Pat McGorry and mental health adviser Mr John Mendoza before the election was called. 

 

Since then Mr Mendoza has quit his job as a mental health advisor with the Labor Government and Professor McGorry has announced his devastation with the Prime Minister’s latest announcement.

 

“It’s obvious the Prime Minister is not interested in ensuring people in regional Australia have access to affordable mental health services, when she refuses to accept the advice of the experts in the field of mental health,” Senator Nash concluded.