21/11/2022 

Deputy speaker,

We can never thank our first responders enough for the work they do in bravely facing crime, injuries, rip tides, and the disasters that flood, burn, and desiccate our land each year.

To say, as this motion does, that they perform a vital and valuable job in extreme circumstances for communities across our nation is the least we can say.

What matters more than our form of words is what we do.

I agree wholeheartedly with this motion on the fact that ensuring the mental health and wellbeing of first responders is not only the right thing to do, but that it helps them continue their life-saving work of supporting communities.

This much is surely above politics.

Or rather it ought to be.

But I was disappointed that the solemn topic of the Member's motion should serve so partisan a purpose.

The motion claims that the Albanese government's October Budget cut 10 million over two years to Fortem in its April Budget.

The only issue with that dollar figure?

It was phantom money.

It was announced but never came into bodily existence.

The funding was announced but never appropriated in the former government's own Budget.

Not a single dollar was ever seen.

Sound familiar?

And yet, somehow, we are to blame.

To the contrary, it took a Labor government to fix this.

And here's what we in fact did.

We delivered, in our Budget, actually delivered 10 million over two years.

And I'm proud of that commitment to Fortem Australia, which is very deserving of our support across the House.

But beyond this commitment, the Prime Minister announced on 11 November, Remembrance Day, that our government would deliver the whole $10 million over one year.

We fulfilled the Coalition's promise, and one year sooner.

I don't like having to make this point, Deputy Speaker.

Because I don't think first responders should be politicised.

Especially when a critique goes after the totally wrong target.

But I do want to put on the record that this was an excellent announcement by the Coalition government for the very worthy cause of helping first responders cope with trauma.

Which is why Labor is honouring and fulfilling it.

We made sure that Fortem's services could continue to be provided for first responders and mental health services.

At the end of that commitment, there will be a proper open tender process, in which Fortem can of course participate.

And that's a great outcome.

There are many other ways in which the Albanese government is delivering for first responders.

The veteran community faces a massive suicide problem which the Royal Commission is looking into.

And so does the first responder community, so tragically.

As Fortem notes, 25 first responders have taken their own lives in the last 12 months.

We need to work across the aisle to flatten that curve.

Which is why we're proud to partner with Fortem Australia and other services that stand with our first responders.

Thanks Deputy Speaker.