Mandurah MP David Templeman has expressed his disappointment that Thursday’s state budget did not include money for a youth mental health program spearheaded by former Fremantle Docker Heath Black.
GP down south’s 3-Tier Youth Mental Health program, which has been running in local high schools, missed out on funding, despite having the support of the community including Mr Templeman and Dawesville MP Kim Hames.
Mr Templeman said the priorities of the government were wrong and while there was money for projects such as Elizabeth Quay, he could not understand how a project supporting young people in crisis could miss out.
“What upsets me is the government can’t find $140,000 a year for a youth mental health program and that’s really the most frustrating thing,” he said.
“It’s actually very sad, people must be wondering how we got to this point.”
Mr Templeman said he was also disappointed at the size of the deficit and the debt forecast in the budget.
“What’s really sad is that it reminds me of waking after a wild party, and finding out you’ve promised the world to everyone, you’ve spent the money you don’t have and you have to sell the silver.”
However, Dr Hames welcomed the spending on infrastructure projects and services in the state budget.
“The funding and initiatives that have been announced in the State Budget will benefit the residents of the Peel region enormously,” he said.
He said the state government had committed $28 million for the Mandurah Traffic Bridge in the budget.
“This is one of Mandurah’s biggest infrastructure projects with a total cost from the state government of $48.8 million, construction is now underway creating jobs and opportunities for residents in the Peel region,” Dr Hames said.
“In spite of reduced revenue to the state government I am pleased to see that the government has helped in protecting families by keeping household fees as low as possible by absorbing the losses, and maintaining its investment in important infrastructure projects.”
Dr Hames also welcomed the government’s $14.9 million increase in funding for the fight against methamphetamine.
“The state government has recognised that more funding was needed to help combat the challenge we face in dealing with the worrying meth problem,” he said.
“The WA Meth Strategy outlines the approach but essentially the funding will assist disrupting meth supply and to reduce demand, provide extra residential rehabilitation and withdrawal services and to provide a dedicated WA Ice Helpline.
“Meth is a huge problem and the state government is committed to assisting families and our local communities in dealing with this terrible issue.”
Nathan Hondros
Senior Journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, and Fairfax Media.
Senior Journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, and Fairfax Media.
