The Government also funds a number of other mental health services that provide a range of support, from telephone crisis support through to online peer forums, with many addressing LGBTIQ specific issues. These include QLife, Qheadspace, Lifeline, Kids Helpline, and ReachOut. The 2017-18 Federal Budget provided $15 million in additional funding for mental health research, $9.1 million to improve access to psychological services through telehealth in regional, rural and remote Australia, and $11.1 million for suicide prevention programs. In January 2018, the Government also announced a further $110 million to extend and expand mental health programs for young Australians. The Government recently launched Head to Health, a digital gateway which aims to support people to more easily access online and phone mental health and wellbeing advice provided by a range of trusted organisations. This provides a further avenue of support for vulnerable people, including those in the LGBTIQ community. Recommendation 3 The committee recommends that the Australian Electoral Commission actively engage with remote communities and Indigenous peak bodies to increase the number of enrolled people in remote electorates and to increase the participation of enrolled people in local, state and federal elections. Response The Government supports this recommendation, noting that the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is responsible for conducting federal elections, including maintaining the Commonwealth electoral roll. Increasing the participation of enrolled people in local and state elections is a matter for state and territory governments. The Government recognises the importance of assisting disadvantaged communities in participating in the electoral process, and supports the Indigenous Electoral Participation Program (IEPP) which aims to help close the gap in Indigenous disadvantage in electoral participation: . The AEC is currently reviewing the IEPP as part of its commitment to continuously educate, improve enrolments and increase participation in federal elections.
The Government also funds a number of other mental health services that provide a range of support, from telephone crisis support through to online peer forums, with many addressing LGBTIQ specific issues. These include QLife, Qheadspace, Lifeline, Kids Helpline, and ReachOut. The 2017-18 Federal Budget provided $15 million in additional funding for mental health research, $9.1 million to improve access to psychological services through telehealth in regional, rural and remote Australia, and $11.1 million for suicide prevention programs. In January 2018, the Government also announced a further $110 million to extend and expand mental health programs for young Australians. The Government recently launched Head to Health, a digital gateway which aims to support people to more easily access online and phone mental health and wellbeing advice provided by a range of trusted organisations. This provides a further avenue of support for vulnerable people, including those in the LGBTIQ community. Recommendation 3 The committee recommends that the Australian Electoral Commission actively engage with remote communities and Indigenous peak bodies to increase the number of enrolled people in remote electorates and to increase the participation of enrolled people in local, state and federal elections. Response The Government supports this recommendation, noting that the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is responsible for conducting federal elections, including maintaining the Commonwealth electoral roll. Increasing the participation of enrolled people in local and state elections is a matter for state and territory governments. The Government recognises the importance of assisting disadvantaged communities in participating in the electoral process, and supports the Indigenous Electoral Participation Program (IEPP) which aims to help close the gap in Indigenous disadvantage in electoral participation: . The AEC is currently reviewing the IEPP as part of its commitment to continuously educate, improve enrolments and increase participation in federal elections.
australian-government-response-to-the-senate-finance-and-public-administration.docx