314-04 Assist the Mental Illness Fellowship North Queensland with funding for the Help for the Rural Caregivers of the Mentally Ill Program

Eligibility - Residents of the State of Queensland
Principal Petitioner:
J E Hatton
St Pauls College
James Cook University
TOWNSVILLE QLD 4811
Total Signatures - 101
Sponsoring Member: Craig Wallace MP
Posting Date: 14/05/2004
Tabled Date: 12/05/2004
Referred to: Referred Minister on 14/05/2004
Responded By: Hon Gordon Nuttall MP on 28/07/2004
TO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland

The petition of residents of the State of Queensland draws to the attention of the House that during the period 2000-2003 the Mental Illness Fellowship North Queensland (MIFNQ) received funding from Queensland Health to provide a wide range of services, including the provision of information, support, accommodation and advocacy. The Fellowship has struggled to meet the increasing demands for all its services without equivalent increases in funding. All staff work part-time hours as a cost-saving measure and it has become necessary to cut the Help for the Rural Caregivers of the Mentally Ill Program (HRCMIP) and terminate the services of a valued employee. The award winning HRCMI Program provided support to individuals and families of over 30 rural and remote centres of North Queensland. The program included workshops, face-to-face counselling, education, and most importantly a vision of hope for recovery. It is anticipated that the impact of the cut to the rural outreach program will be significant.

Your petitioners therefore request the House to request the Government to take all steps possible to assist the Fellowship provide the HRCMI Program until the end of the financial year (June 2004).