Ms LEY (Farrer—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (09:44): I want to start this statement on strengthening Medicare through mental health by acknowledging that there is a great deal of goodwill across this chamber when it comes to mental health. When I was growing up, like many in this place, it wasn't that we didn't talk about mental health; we didn't even have the language to talk about it. The revolution in attention and focus that we've seen on mental health over recent decades is the result of the work of countless practitioners, advocates, researchers and community groups. It is thanks to them that we're now not only talking about mental health but we are tackling it, because, thanks to all of that good work, we now have the tools we need to help Australians manage their mental health and support them through periods of crisis. All of us in this place have a role to play in removing the stigma around mental ill-health, and I would like to recognise those who have shared and continue to share their own experiences. By sharing our experiences, as leaders in our communities, we help open the door for others to take steps and access tools to help manage their mental health and to help those around them. Many from all sides of this chamber have shared their own experiences. I really do want to recognise that today. So I preface what I'm about to say by noting, once more, the goodwill that exists in this chamber on this issue. But consensus on the challenge, and goodwill on solutions, does not mean a free pass to the government of the day on policy decision and priorities. While we will always work constructively on solutions to support action on mental health, we will hold governments accountable for the decisions that they make. We know that, coming out of the pandemic, in many parts of this country there is a mental health crisis. It's engulfing our kids who are kept away from schools. It's impacting mothers who are returning to work. It is evident in almost every community. And, sadly, it is worsening. We know that, when cost of living bites, mental health worsens. There is a clear link between the cost-of-living crisis and demand for mental health care. According to the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 34 per cent of small-business operators have said they've been diagnosed with a mental health condition. This is up from 22 per cent during the pandemic years of 2020 to 2022. Mental health today across our small businesses is worse than during the pandemic. Let that sink in. Beyond Blue found that one in five Australians, or 21 per cent, have taken time off work in the past 12 months because they felt stressed, anxious, depressed or mentally unhealthy, and almost 50 per cent of employees have left a workplace due to a poor mental health environment, while 60 per cent of employees working in a mentally healthy workplace were more committed to their jobs. In a recent survey, Beyond Blue found that 46 per cent of people named financial pressure as a key factor in distress, and just over 25 per cent reported they had experienced a mental health challenge in the past 12 months but that they didn't seek any support for their mental health. The top barriers to taking action included affordability of treatment. We know that, today in Australia, with the worsening economic conditions and increasing cost of living, the incidence and prevalence of mental health conditions will likely increase. And we know that cost is a barrier to accessing care. These factors are not new. They've been known for years. So I have to ask: how would a government that is confronted with a cost-of-living crisis and a rise in the prevalence of mental health conditions across this country respond? Would it increase access to mental health support or would it cut access? Well, I'm sad to say, the Albanese government's record is clear, and it is indefensible. It was some time ago, but it is worth recounting for the benefit of the House, that one of the very first decisions the Albanese government made in health care was to cut Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions in half, from 20 to 10 sessions. Frankly, it was an outrageous decision. We have consistently called out the Albanese government's decision to cut access to these Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis. This is a time when we know mental health support should be a priority. This government has ripped away critical support from some of our most vulnerable Australians at the worst possible time. These cuts went against the clear recommendation of the government's own review of the Better Access initiative and they went against the advice of medical experts and mental health peak bodies across the country. This cut to Medicare ripped away critical support from many Australians, while countless more have been left without the possibility of accessing additional sessions. We know also that there was a significant uptake in the additional 10 sessions prior to Labor's decision, proving that this government was prepared to ignore a significant increase in demand and ignore the needs of Australians. Peak bodies have been active in highlighting the serious need for mental health support, especially through this cost-of-living crisis. It is more important than ever to ensure that Australians have access to the psychological support they need. Rather than strengthening Medicare, the Albanese government ripped away critical support from Australians, many who had been prescribed the additional 10 sessions by their medical practitioner. Labor cut sessions from vulnerable Australians who were accessing this additional support, sessions that were considered by medical experts to be necessary for these Australians in aid of their mental health. The government's own review of these sessions clearly recommended leaving the additional sessions in place and looking at other avenues for expanding access to these mental health sessions. But the government blatantly ignored the recommendations of experts and cut this critical support for the most vulnerable. Indefensible and heartless—these are the only words I can muster on this issue. Notwithstanding the goodwill across the chamber on this issue, these cuts remain a black mark on the record of the Albanese government.