Canberra Liberals MLA Ed Cocks, Shadow Minister for Mental Health, will today call on all the leaders of parties represented in the ACT Legislative Assembly to write to the Prime Minister and ask the government to reverse cuts to mental health funded by Medicare.

From January 1 this year, the Albanese government cut funding for mental health care by halving the number of psychological services available to those who need them from 20 to 10, Mr Cocks noted.

The Better Access scheme, introduced by the former Coalition government, was expanded from 10 psychologist sessions to 20 early in the pandemic. Federal health minister Mark Butler stated that the system was inequitable: a University of Melbourne review found that poor people and those in the regions were less able to access psychological help. Psychologists, emergency service workers, and allied health professionals opposed the minister’s decision, arguing that reducing the quantity and quality of mental health care would put patients at risk of harm or death, the ABC reported.

Mr Cocks said the need for mental health services and supports remains high following the COVID-19 pandemic and as many Canberrans face deteriorating economic conditions, rising inflation, and associated cost of living pressures.

“Cuts to MBS services are likely to increase pressure on state and territory health systems,” Mr Cocks said.

“The ACT mental health system was under pressure even before the Albanese government announcement, and there is no excess capacity to absorb federal cuts to mental health services.

“Independent evaluations have stated that 20 sessions a year should continue to be made available and targeted towards those with more complex mental health needs.”

Mr Cocks said no clinical rationale was presented to justify the cuts to MBS services, and the independent evaluation did not recommend cutting access to services.

The University of Melbourne report had recommended that the additional 10 sessions should continue, targeted towards people with complex mental health needs.

“All members of the Legislative Assembly should be very concerned about these cuts,” Mr Cocks said, “and in the best interests of Canberrans, it is incumbent on all parties to write to the Prime Minister and Federal Health Minister and ask for a reversal of these cuts.

“I really hope the Greens will put the needs of Canberrans ahead of their political deal with Labor.”