The Federal Labor Member for Richmond has been busy announcing funding promises and projects in the lead up to the imminent but yet-to-be-scheduled 2025 Federal Election.
On Friday Justine Elliot announced $1.3 million towards a new, free, walk-in Medicare Mental Health Centre in Tweed Heads.
‘This is so vitally important for our community,’ she said later by media release, ‘which has faced the traumatic impacts of the 2022 floods and recently Cyclone Alfred.’
The centre is to be open for extended hours, with no appointment or referral needed.
Mental health professionals including social workers, nurses, and peer workers, are to be available with immediate help for people in distress.
Ongoing care for those with more complex mental health needs is to also be available.
More funding for the centre is to come from the state government, with Healthy North Coast, an independent, not-for-profit organisation who delivers the Australian Government’s Primary Health Network program for the North Coast, to commission the centre and it due to open some time in the 2026 -2-27 financial year.
Ms Elliot said the federal government was investing an extra $29.9 million to ensure access to psychologists and psychiatrists through every centre in the scheme.
Labor promises cheaper PBS medicines, energy subsidies
The centre’s announcement came shortly after federal Labor said it would cap cheaper script medicines at $25 under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme if re-elected.
Labor says the cost for pensioners and concession card holders would stay capped at $7.70.
The PBS announcement came after Labor promised another round of energy bill subsidies, this time confirming households will receive $150 off their power bill.
Greens continue to target Richmond
Labor’s commitments come as The Greens intensify their campaign in marginal seats across the country including Richmond.
Last week several state and federal Greens MPs were in the region to support federal candidate for Richmond Mandy Nolan at her official campaign launch.
Friday night’s event was all but sold out, with just a few seats available on the gallery overlooking the iconic, if modestly-sized, Bangalow A&I Hall stage.
During speeches, the crowd heard the party lost the 2023 election in Richmond by only 900 votes.
Members of the audience were asked to consider persuading three uncertain constituents to vote for The Greens, which the speaker said would be enough to cover at least half the number needed.
Senior party members took the opportunity of a key electorate visit to announce several funding promises as part of their election campaign, with Greens leader Adam Bandt and Senator Sarah Hansen-Young each carrying out local media events before and after Ms Nolan’s town hall-style gathering.
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