Mental Health Reform

A supplementary question put forward to the Hon. G.E. GAGO in relation to the Mental Health Reform.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: I have a supplementary question. Will the minister confirm that the NGO funding is merely a continuation of what was actually provided in 2005- 06, and when will the government include those funds in a recurrent allocation so that it will stop making these disingenuous statements in parliament?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: It is very sad that honourable members opposite cannot read a budget; it is a very sad indictment, but I will not dwell on that. Indeed, the NGOs were offered (as members know) a one-off payment of $25 million back in 2005-06. It was delivered as one-off funding. Since that time we have delivered a blueprint reform agenda and we have delivered a vision for mental health reform for this state which includes NGO funding, as I have outlined. It is recurrent funding. It is really sad that honourable members opposite are unable to read a budget.