Greens welcome long-awaited action on mental health emergencies, but more needed

2026-07-30

After sustained pressure from the Greens, working alongside the families of those harmed by police during mental health emergencies, people with lived experience, and experts, the Minns Labor government has finally announced a welcome change to the way that Triple Zero calls for mental health are responded to, two years after committing to reform in this space.

A health-led response to mental health emergencies, with police activated as a secondary response only when required to support the safety of health workers, was a key recommendation of the Greens-led inquiry into community mental health care, which handed down its report in June 2024.

Dr Amanda Cohn, Greens spokesperson for Health including Mental Health, said today’s announcement is welcome and significant, but is not yet sufficiently resourced.

“When someone calls Triple Zero for their mental health or for a loved one, they need mental health care, not law enforcement. Too many people have been harmed by police as the default response in NSW while alternative response models have been operating in other states.”

Eight Mental Health Acute Assessment Teams (an expansion of the successful trial in Western Sydney), available 12 hours per day, leaves police as default responders for the vast majority of calls across NSW for care and support.

“People across the state are still at risk of harm from police-led responses. Now that this significant reform has commenced, the Greens are calling on the Minns Labor government to finish the job and ensure that people calling Triple Zero for mental health can get the care they need, regardless of the time of day or where they live.”

Media Contact: Kate Dorrell | 0404 691 838 | kate.dorrell@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Dr Amanda Cohn is available for comment

Selected Parliamentary activity by Dr Cohn calling for reform: