The Greens welcome the Liberal Government’s offer of funding to keep the Hobart Clinic open in the short-term. The Liberals must ensure Tasmanians have the mental health care they need in the long-term by increasing investment in the public system.
The public mental health system has been underfunded by the Liberals for years. Public mental health services haven’t been able to keep up with demand, and Tasmanians are missing out on the help they need.
Private operators like the Hobart Clinic have provided much-needed mental health care for Tasmanians. The loss of this facility would only make things worse for Tasmanians desperately trying to access the care they need.
It’s welcome news that the Liberal Government has offered the Hobart Clinic funding to stay operational in the short term, while a long-term solution is found.
This funding is just a stopgap. The Liberals can’t keep relying on the private health system to provide the essential care Tasmanians need.
The Liberal Government needs to make long-term changes to ensure the public system can provide Tasmanians with the mental health care they need. They must increase investment in the public mental health care system.
