One month on from the Federal Liberal National Government’s $3.3 million investment into mental health on the Southern Peninsula, the Victorian Labor Government continues to break their promise to match Federal funding.
In February, the Australian Government delivered $3.3 million into local projects to improve mental health on the Peninsula, including:
- $1.5 million towards the construction of an integrated Youth Services Hub in Rosebud;
- $300,000 towards the construction of a youth wellness pavilion at Rosebud Secondary College;
- $1.5 million over four years for the operation of a new headspace satellite service in Rosebud and Hastings.
Following these announcements, the Labor Government has failed to clarify if it is in a position to match this funding for the Mornington Peninsula.
Fortunately, this Liberal National Government investment was unconditional on Labor funding.
Federal Member for Flinders, the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, said it was deeply disappointing that Labor had not matched the Federal Government’s delivered funding for these vital local projects.
“Sadly despite a $3.3 million investment into improving mental health on the Peninsula by the Liberal National Government, the Labor Government in Victoria is yet to commit one dollar to either the Southern Peninsula Youth Services Hub, or the Rosebud Secondary College Wellbeing Pavilion,” Mr Hunt said.
“After sitting in a meeting with Mr Brayne and students from Rosebud Secondary College, I was hopeful we’d see a bipartisan commitment from Labor on this issue.
“Yet despite being given the best possible hand by the Federal Government to seek funding from his colleagues, Mr Brayne has failed to deliver any funding to improve mental health on the Peninsula, or even let the public know if his government intends to even invest at all.
“With one of Mr Brayne’s staff running as Bill Shorten’s candidate in Flinders, you would think they would be able to find funds for these vital community projects. But it would appear not.
“Maybe the Labor Candidate for Flinders should spend less time campaigning and more time on his day job. It would appear that Mr Brayne needs all the help he can get to get Labor to invest in the Peninsula.”