Coalition unveil cabinet, but mental health minister missing

TONY Abbott has revealed the incoming Coalition government’s ministerial cabinet this week, but there is no mention of a dedicated mental health minister.

Peter Dutton will be Minister for Health and Minister for Sport and Senator Fiona Nash will be Assistant Minister for Health. The Coalition said responsibility for mental health will rest with Peter Dutton ensuring responsibility for this issue remained in cabinet.

This means the weight of mental health responsibility will be carried by one minister and compete against other pressing health issues.

Another problem the lack of a Mental Health Minister presents, is the risk of narrowing the perspective on mental health to it being a health system issue only. Mental health requires a broader social/community response, facilitated by the existence of a separate Ministerial position for mental health.

A further possible consequence of this decision could be a stronger emphasis on the provision of funding for psychiatric institutions and hospitals, instead of community managed mental health services which provide a person centred, recovery orientated focus.

Minister for Social Services Kevin Andrews  is responsible for the largest area of expenditure and payments in the budget. This new department is responsible for settlement services, multicultural affairs and the administration of aged care. Senator Mitch Fifield will be Assistant Minister for Social Services and responsible for the development of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and aged care. There was no mention of mental health in the Social Service responsibilities.

WAAMH will be working with its national peak body Community Mental Health Australia to remind the new government of the critical need to ensure a comprehensive national approach to mental health issues.