Thursday, 20 February 2025

Ministers statements: Ballarat community

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:25): Recently I visited Ballarat and caught up with the fantastic Labor team who represent the area, the member for Wendouree Juliana Addison, the member for Ripon Martha Haylett and the member for Eureka Michaela Settle. They are all working hard and advocating strongly for improved access to mental health in the area and also for their thriving multicultural and multifaith communities.

I was thrilled to deliver a key recommendation of the royal commission with the official opening of the Grampians Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect centre, contributing to the network of services across the state providing support to Victorian carers who support someone with a mental health challenge. Not only that, it was really wonderful to be able to turn the sod with those MPs at the new multimillion-dollar youth prevention and recovery centre, which when complete will provide critical 24/7 care in a home-like setting for young people aged between 16 and 25 who are experiencing mental health challenges. The new beds will reduce pressure on health services in the region and will mean that more young people can get the support that they need close to their families and community networks.

I also met with community members from the Ballarat Hindu Temple & Cultural Centre. The Allan Labor government has been proud to support them with a $900,000 commitment to the construction of a prayer hall, kitchen buildings and a car park. Finally, I met with the Ballarat Hebrew Congregation, heard about their rich history and made a visit to their synagogue, which in fact is one of the oldest synagogues on the mainland.

We are very proud of that community in Ballarat, and we are also proud to stand with our regional communities when it comes to delivering mental health services and community infrastructure that those regional residents deserve.