Here are a few of the relevant points from last night’s budget for AOD and mental health.
New way of working for grants
$55.6 million over 3 years to continue front line community services whilst the “New Way of Working for Grants” framework is implemented.
Illicit drugs campaign
$20 million over 2 years to renew the National Drug Campaign, a media campaign to prevent and encourage people to cease illicit drug use. No surprises at the documented focus on “ice”.
Streamlining health services
Cuts in funding including cuts to the Health Portfolio Flexible Funds
Plain packaging litigation
Undisclosed amount will be given to defend international legal challenges to the Tobacco Plain Packaging Act 2011,
NDIS
Sector Development Fund to be transferred to the Department of Social Services from the National Disability Insurance Agency. NDIA will continue with focus on care packages for individuals.
National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness
Extended to 2017
Domestic violence awareness
Contribution of $16.7 million to the Council of Australian Governments’ planned $30 million awareness campaign
Trial, which included $200 vouchers for relationship counselling services, has been discontinued
Department of Human Services/Welfare integrity
Low income supplement
Microfinance
Health
Feel free to add anything I missed in the comments. There was a small reference to prevention in health, but I will need to investigate more to see what this was about.