25th Nov 2010, 12:42 PM – Representatives Mental Health - Recommital of Vote - Greens amendment

The majority voted in favour of a motion that the words which Greens MP Adam Bandt wanted to omit remain unchanged. By voting 'aye' for this motion, the majority supported the wording of the original motion and rejected Mr Bandt's amendment to it.

Mr Bandt's amendment was to Liberal MP Peter Dutton's original motion:(Read Mr Bandt's full explanation of his amendment here. ) That paragraph 2 be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

“(2) requires the Government to:

(a) expand ongoing primary health care programmes to target those in need, the vulnerable and long-term clientele working with the community and NGO sector;

(b) provide alternatives to emergency department treatment such as multi-disciplinary community-based sub-acute services that supports ‘stepped’ (two-staged) prevention and recovery care;

(c) establish a national network of one-stop shop community mental health centres;

(d) provide additional training for GPs and nurses to triage mental health;

(e) expand the number of headspace centres to a minimum of 90 nationally;

(f) establish a national network of 20 EPPIC centres;

(g) provide an additional 800 beds for mental health, associated with the EPPIC centres;

(h) appropriate funds necessary to provide these critical steps to expanding mental health treatment facilities; and

(i) immediately provide additional funds for existing headspace centres, respite treatment and primary health care programmes; and”

One member, Nationals MP Tony Crook, rebelled and crossed the floor to vote 'no' with the Greens.(Read more about what it means to cross the floor in our FAQ Section.)

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