AARON VIOLI MP
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR CASEY
MEDIA RELEASE
12 May 2023
Medicare-funded psychology sessions to increase under Coalition government
The Coalition government will restore the 20 Medicare-funded psychology sessions that the Albanese Labor Government cut.
The previous Coalition government doubled the number of Medicare subsidised mental health sessions from 10 to 20 to support Australians during tough times and the pandemic.
This was done through our Better Access Initiative.
A review of the Better Access Initiative was undertaken in 2022. That report recommended that the additional 10 subsidised sessions continue.
Labor ignored this advice and reduced the subsidised sessions from 20 to 10 back in December 2022, ripping away vital mental health support from vulnerable Australians.
This meant those in need of mental health support could only receive the discounted rate for 10 sessions instead of the full 20 under the Coalition government.
Not only did Labor slash the number of visits, they abandoned youth in our community by failing to fund the Lilydale Youth Hub.
The Youth Hub had to close its doors in December 2022 after a lengthy campaign for funding from the Albanese Government.
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Casey, Aaron Violi MP:
“I have been advocating in Parliament for more mental health support for our region, so I strongly welcome the news that the Coalition will restore the 20 Medicare-funded psychology sessions that the Albanese Labor Government cut,” he said.
“I am disappointed that Labor did not rectify their cuts by reinstating the 20-sessions in their May budget. It is staggering that Labor think now is a good time to rip away access to vital mental health support,” he said.
“The Lilydale Youth Hub played an important role in supporting young people in the Yarra Ranges. Our community has become a desert when it comes to mental health support, with current facilities at capacity. I will keep calling on the Labor government to invest in the mental health services our community needs,” he said.
