The Federal Government has allowed only two weeks for people to comment on its Ten-Year Roadmap for National Mental Health Reform.

Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Shadow Minister for Ageing and Shadow Minister for Mental Health, said the arrogance shown by the Labor Government was breathtaking.

“The Gillard Government claims to have mental health as a second term priority but it has released its 42-page draft version of its Roadmap and then given people only two weeks to comment,” S... enator Fierravanti-Wells said.

“In case they had not noticed, many people are still on annual leave or preparing to return their children to school.

“Is this really a consultation period or a gesture to trick people into thinking they have had a say?

“The Roadmap appears to be a wish list with little detail but since the budget, we have had the appointment and then the withdrawal of the nomination of Monsignor David Cappo as Mental Health Commissioner, the shrinking of the Better Access program and lots of talk but little action on mental health.

“The sector is well aware of what is needed to improve the lives of people with mental health issues and the Coalition has enhanced its 2010 election policy to strengthen the services it would offer to Australians.”