Wednesday, 29 May 2024

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Alcohol and other drug services

Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (12:05): (541) My question is for the Minister for Mental Health. In April the Herald Sun reported that demand for alcohol rehab services has soared by more than 50 per cent since before the pandemic, forcing thousands of Victorians to wait months for treatment. As a former police officer, I know all too well the detrimental impact the lack of alcohol and other drug and gambling services can have on our community, families, employers and the health and emergency services staff who are often left to pick up the pieces when Victorians have no choice but to hit rock bottom before they are able to access support. It occurs to me that having treatment options that are inclusive of early intervention and prevention models that enable Victorians to access treatment, care and support for risky addiction in such a way where they are able to retain their employment and that encourage early intervention would allow Victorians to seek support with addiction earlier, before it spirals out of control, taking much-needed pressure off our overburdened health and emergency services workers. My question is: what has been done so far to deliver those services?

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:05): That is a really great question. Obviously in terms of the government’s response to harm reduction, including rehabilitation services, this is an area where we have been proud to continue to invest. Our budget for this year alone is $376 million in terms of alcohol and other drug supports, and you would be aware that we recently announced an additional $95 million for our statewide action plan when it comes to harmful drug addiction.

In terms of the additional rehabilitation services that we have provided, we have been able to significantly increase the number of rehab beds that are available for both alcohol and drug addiction. We now have statewide 502 rehab beds and 150 withdrawal beds, and that includes a number of important services across regional Victoria. In Bendigo we have added an additional 31 beds, plus four in Shepparton, 74 in Gippsland, 24 in Ballarat, 31 in Wangaratta and 52 in Geelong, and there are an additional 30 to come as part of a project we are in the process of delivering in Mildura. We understand that Victorians need access to rehabilitation services close to where they live.

In terms of your question about emergency services workers, we obviously understand that often because of the type of work that these workers are performing they do come under significant pressure. It is challenging work, and we want to make sure that they are supported. There are a number of election commitments that were made at the 2022 election about supports for emergency services and health workers, which I am happy to provide a little bit more information to the member about. But in addition to that, we have also committed to delivering a worker-focused rehabilitation drug and alcohol service, the Crossing. I am looking forward to continuing work through my department to deliver that important project to workers across Victoria.

Jeff BOURMAN (Eastern Victoria) (12:08): I thank the minister. Minister, on the 2022 election promise, in 2022 the then Andrews Labor government announced that they would fund a service in partnership with employers, trade unions and public sector drug and alcohol services to provide an answer for working people and their families who find themselves addicted to drugs, alcohol or gambling. This announcement garnered major support at the time amongst AOD providers, trade unions and employers alike. It is now 2024 and there has been no action taken. It is my understanding that in frustration an urgency motion was even brought to the floor of the Labor Party conference urging the government to get on with it, with unanimous support and even a standing ovation. When is the minister going to make these urgent services available to those in need?

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:09): Thank you for that supplementary question, and I perhaps cheekily will note that there was an urgency resolution about just about everything at this year’s ALP conference, and that is a wonderful thing. They are the democratic processes of our party, and we cherish them.

We made a $12 million commitment in last year’s budget for delivery of this important initiative. I will be continuing to work closely with my department about getting that project moving. I have met with a number of trade union leaders about this important issue, and the government is committed to working closely with those representatives of working people and delivering this important service.