❓ Hon. Alison Xamon questions the Minister for Mental Health regarding staffing cuts to the Meth Helpline, citing concerns about access to timely support. The Minister's response clarifies the funding was finite and data will be made available.
AnsweredQoN 656Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
METH HELPLINE
656. Hon ALISON XAMON to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Mental Health:
I refer to the 10-year ''Western
Australian Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Services Plan 2015–2025''
and the recently released ''Methamphetamine Action Plan Taskforce: What
the Taskforce Heard'' consultation report, both of which identify the
critical need for greater access to a timely response and assistance with
system navigation for people with alcohol and other drug issues.
(1) What was the
rationale for the 17 per cent cut to the Meth Helpline staffing levels, the
only existing service that offers both these system components?
(2) Who was
consulted ahead of this decision?
(3) Will the
minister make public the data on the number of calls, including dropouts and
call-backs, before and after the cuts?
(4) If yes to
(3), when?
(5) If no to (3),
why not?
656. Hon ALISON XAMON to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Mental Health:
I refer to the 10-year ''Western
Australian Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Services Plan 2015–2025''
and the recently released ''Methamphetamine Action Plan Taskforce: What
the Taskforce Heard'' consultation report, both of which identify the
critical need for greater access to a timely response and assistance with
system navigation for people with alcohol and other drug issues.
(1) What was the
rationale for the 17 per cent cut to the Meth Helpline staffing levels, the
only existing service that offers both these system components?
(2) Who was
consulted ahead of this decision?
(3) Will the
minister make public the data on the number of calls, including dropouts and
call-backs, before and after the cuts?
(4) If yes to
(3), when?
(5) If no to (3),
why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question.
(1) Additional
funding was provided in the 2016–17 budget for only two years, ceasing
on 30 June 2018, to increase the number of full-time equivalent employees in
the Alcohol and Drug Support Service by one, in order to support the newly
established Meth Helpline. The additional ADSS FTE ceased as at 30 June 2018 in
accordance with the finite funding. The Meth Helpline is staffed by the ADSS.
The Meth Helpline is still active and continues to serve the public.
(2) No
consultation was undertaken, as the cessation of funding was as per the
previous budget decision to provide finite funding.
(3) Yes. The Meth
Helpline is still active and continues to service the public. The Minister for
Health has asked that the call volumes be closely monitored to ensure that the
line is servicing the community effectively.
(4) The data will
be made available upon request.
(5) Not
applicable.
question.
(1) Additional
funding was provided in the 2016–17 budget for only two years, ceasing
on 30 June 2018, to increase the number of full-time equivalent employees in
the Alcohol and Drug Support Service by one, in order to support the newly
established Meth Helpline. The additional ADSS FTE ceased as at 30 June 2018 in
accordance with the finite funding. The Meth Helpline is staffed by the ADSS.
The Meth Helpline is still active and continues to serve the public.
(2) No
consultation was undertaken, as the cessation of funding was as per the
previous budget decision to provide finite funding.
(3) Yes. The Meth
Helpline is still active and continues to service the public. The Minister for
Health has asked that the call volumes be closely monitored to ensure that the
line is servicing the community effectively.
(4) The data will
be made available upon request.
(5) Not
applicable.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.