Hon Martin Pritchard questions the allocation of mental health budget increases to community organisations and the funding required to meet the 15% target. The answer clarifies the budget figures and states the target is no longer applicable due to agency amalgamation.

AnsweredQoN 3843Legislative Council
Asked
24 February 2016
Portfolio
Mental Health

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the 2014-2015 State Budget for mental health, which received
a 6.1 per cent or $45.7 million boost from the previous financial year, and the
proportion of service funding directly to community organisations was up slightly in 2014-2015 to 12.9 per cent
from 12.6 per cent in 2013-2014 but still below the 15 per cent target, and I ask: (a) what proportion and value of the $45.7 million was directed to community organisations; and (b) what is the estimated value of additional funding required over the forward estimates to meet the 15 per cent target?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
28 April 2016
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health
Response time
64 days
(a) The $45.7 million quoted in the question was taken from the 2014/15 State Budget papers for the Mental Health Commission, and is inclusive of funding for the Drug and Alcohol Office.
The 2014/15 State Budget for Mental Health (i.e. excluding Drug and Alcohol Services) indicates that there was a $42.6 million increase from 2013/14. Of the $42.6 million, 1.7% or $0.8 million was directed to community organisations.
(b) The 2014/15 State Budget for Mental Health indicates that by 2017/18, it is estimated $36.3 million in additional funding will be required to achieve the 15 per cent target.
The Mental Health Commissions key performance indicators have been revised in the 2015-16 Budget Papers as part of the amalgamation of the Mental Health Commission and the Drug and Alcohol Office which occurred on 1 July 2015. The 15 per cent target previously applied to Mental Health services only and is no longer applicable in the amalgamated entity.

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