2016-06-28
Time, money and effort must be immediately poured into the Kimberley region to address tragic suicide rates that are amongst the highest in the world, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today.
“The Kimberley community have been trying to tell the broader community about these tragic suicide rates in the region for a long time with no real action from Government.
“In estimates we sadly confirmed that funds committed some time ago by the Federal Government (now worth $25m) to addressing suicide prevention in Aboriginal communities including in the Kimberley was never spent.
"This money must immediately be made available to programs that are community developed and driven. There are many good programs that are crying out for funding.
"The Greens have committed to genuinely addressing mental health issues and disadvantage in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
“This includes $280m in additional mental health funding for regional, rural and remote communities, and $40m in funding for a series of strategies to reduce mental health stigma.
“It is time to genuinely Close the Gap and ensure strong mental health initiatives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples”.