Todays Productivity Commission report on mental health is an urgent call for the Government to address and reform policy.

While we are still working through the detail, and note the final report isnt due until May 2020, this independent report gives us an opportunity to assess the system as a whole.

In addressing one of Australias most critical challenges, the report calls for policy reform across education, housing, the workplace and the justice system to address mental ill-health in Australia.

1 in 5 Australians will suffer from mental ill-health each year, and almost half of all Australian adults will meet the diagnostic criteria for a mental illness at some point in their lives. The report points out the magnitude of the issue.

The Productivity Commission estimates mental ill-health and flow on costs Australia $180 billion per year.

It is critical we take this report seriously and consider draft recommendations for reform like prevention, earlier interventions, fixing gaps in health care and acute care, as well as addressing the social determinants of health, better working arrangements and a more coordinated approach to mental health in Australia.

We will continue to work through the detail of the report, but acknowledge the importance of this piece of work and our bi-partisan commitment to addressing better mental health for Australians.