Fed: Howard announces mental health funding boost =2

AAP General News (Australia)
04-05-2006
Fed: Howard announces mental health funding boost =2

With mental health firmly on the Council of Australian Governments' (COAG) agenda,
Mr Howard said he was looking to the states to also contribute.

"The commonwealth will contribute a total figure over a five-year period of $1.8 billion
towards addressing very significant areas of shortage and need in relation to mental health,"

he said.

"I stress that the commonwealth will do these things irrespective of the response of
the states, but naturally we would look to the states in the spirit of cooperation that
has been evident thus far to match in their areas of responsibility with an equivalent
amount."

Mr Howard said most people would agree that there were many gaps when it comes to mental
health care in Australia.

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KEYWORD: MENTAL 2 CANBERRA

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