2026-10-14
Briefs from NSW Health to the Minister for Mental Health, released by a Greens parliamentary order for papers, reveal the state’s gap in mental health services is so big it ‘could require NSW to deliver one of the largest expansions of mental health services (and infrastructure) in recent history’.
NSW Greens spokesperson for Health including Mental Health Dr Amanda Cohn has slammed the Minns Labor government for not being honest with the public about mental health service gaps, nor funding better care.
The papers reveal underspending on infrastructure and staffing, including a $550m to $600m funding shortfall for clinical and support staff.
One brief says releasing the full analysis could ‘create reputational damage If the government cannot produce funding to address the stated gap.’
“The Minns Labor government was clearly told how poorly mental health care is funded in NSW. Instead of fixing the problem, they tried to bury it.” Dr Cohn said.
“People who need mental health care are waiting for days, not hours, in emergency departments, or are putting off their next appointment because they can’t afford it. They deserve more than spin from the NSW government.”
Another brief shows the gaps analysis report was prepared for release in February 2025. It was then revised following a meeting with the Minister, and to be ‘published on instruction by the Minister’s office’. A shorter version was finally released last month with local health districts de-identified.
“The Minns Labor government made a commitment before it was elected to do this analysis and to be transparent with the community. Instead, they sat on this report for at least 18 months, before quietly releasing it on a Friday afternoon with data too vague to be meaningful or helpful,” Dr Cohn said.