Mr NORTHE (Morwell) — (12 549) My constituency question is to the Premier. What is the latest information with respect to mental health support and services for former Hazelwood power station employees, contractors and service providers?
Having spoken regularly with many who have worked directly and indirectly with the Hazelwood power station, I am concerned about the welfare of these people and their families. The question being asked by many people is whether the government has engaged the services of any mental health service provider, such as the Mental Health Foundation of Australia, to provide support to people who, through no fault of their own, have faced enormous upheaval due to Hazelwood closing. It has been a truly traumatic time for many people within the Latrobe Valley community, and that is why we need to know what mental health services have been engaged by the government to assist local people in need.
The state government slugged Latrobe Valley generators an extra $252 million in taxes just last year. The Premier must explain how much of this money is being spent on mental health support services for Hazelwood workers, contractors and service providers.