Media Releases

Concerning NDIS senate inquiry pace

Today the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 was introduced to the House of Representatives. It has been referred to the Senate for a full committee inquiry, with a turnaround that gives the sector very little time to respond. Community Mental Health Australia has been closely tracking the […]

Finding opportunity in reform

The 2026-2027 Federal Budget papers put into focus something our sector has always known: that mental health and wellbeing are not built in clinics alone. The decisions in this budget about housing, employment, bulk billing, hospital funding, and community infrastructure are mental health decisions, whether they are framed that way or not. A government that […]

Reform isn’t always neat and tidy: NDIS changes announced

Today’s announcement by Hon Mark Butler, Minister for Health and Ageing and Minister for Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme marks a significant moment for Australia’s disability and mental health landscape, one the community mental health sector has long anticipated, and one that will raise as many questions as it answers. One question that […]

Australian Journal of Human Rights

A recent article published in Australian Journal of Human Rights (2026) presents a carefully reasoned case for a Human Rights Act in Western Australia, using the state’s mental health system as a practical example of why stronger legislative protections matter. Titled Advancing a rights-based mental health system: the case for a Human Rights Act for […]

Productivity Commission Report Joint Statement

Community Mental Health Australia joins fellow system reform Leadership Peaks: the Indigenous Australian Lived Experience Centre, the National Mental Health Consumer Alliance and Mental Health Carers Australia in welcoming the Government’s prompt release of the Productivity Commission’s Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement Review Final Report. We support the findings that the mental health and […]

Disability representative organisations call for accountability after NDIA conduct targeting person with disability

People with disability, families, kin and organisations are appalled and outraged by the actions taken by the National Disability Insurance Agency to remove a person with disability from the National Disability Insurance Scheme in apparent retaliation for expressing their views on social media about the Scheme. Early this week, a group of Disability Representative Organisations […]

CMHA welcomes investment in mental health

CMHA welcomes the investments in mental health from both parties; however, the question is are these investments targeting much need system transformation. CMHA President, Cathy O’Toole said “Whilst it is important to highlight this investment it is also critical to ensure that investment is targeted to ensure genuine mental health system transformational where clinical and community supports work together to ensure people with lived experience are living contributing, meaningful and flourishing lives.

Mental health system in crisis: we need reform, not just psychiatrists

“The Four Corners program aired on ABC on Monday 2 June 2025 confirms what our sector has been saying for years: the mental health system is in crisis,” said Kerry Hawkins, CEO of Community Mental Health Australia (CMHA). “What’s happening in New South Wales is devastating, but it’s part of a broader national story. Every state and territory is experiencing growing pressure. People are falling through the cracks of a system that was never built to meet their needs,” added Kerry.

It’s time for mental health reform

“On behalf of the community mental health sector, I would like to congratulate Hon Anthony Albanese MP on the historical re-election as Prime Minister,” said Cathy O’Toole President of Community Mental Health Australia (CMHA). “We look forward to working with the federal government including the Prime Minister and his ministerial team to ensure their $1 billion investment in mental health is invested wisely,” Cathy added.

News

Concerning NDIS senate inquiry pace

Finding opportunity in reform

Reform isn’t always neat and tidy: NDIS changes announced

Australian Journal of Human Rights

Productivity Commission Report Joint Statement

Disability representative organisations call for accountability after NDIA conduct targeting person with disability

CMHA welcomes investment in mental health

Mental health system in crisis: we need reform, not just psychiatrists

It’s time for mental health reform

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