Ongoing support for psychiatric patients welcomed

Mental Health Australia welcomes today’s agreement between the government and opposition that the government will continue to provide the Disability Support Pension for people in psychiatric confinement following negotiations over the Budget Savings (Omnibus) Bill.

Along with other many other mental health organisations, Mental Health Australia has actively opposed cuts to this support since it was first proposed in 2014.

“Removing welfare payments from patients undergoing psychiatric confinement would have further eroded support for people with a mental illness and further entrenched systemic discrimination,” said Frank Quinlan, CEO of Mental Health Australia.

“Having access to income when returning to the community is critical in giving people a sense of dignity and control over their lives.

“Mental Health Australia applauds the Government, the Opposition, and the Greens and cross-benchers who have recognised the effect this proposal would have had on some of the most vulnerable people in our society,” said Mr Quinlan.

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