An elected Dutton Coalition Government will continue our proud legacy of supporting life saving research into suicide prevention by investing $15 million to continue the National Suicide Prevention Research Fund.
Disappointingly, the Albanese Labor Government has cut funding for this crucial Research Fund, throwing ongoing research efforts into complete uncertainty.
The Coalition will restore funding for the Suicide Prevention Research Fund because we are fully committed to working towards zero suicides.
The National Suicide Prevention Research Fund, led by Suicide Prevention Australia, was proudly established by the Coalition in 2016 and then extended in 2022 by the former Coalition Government.
It has led to important research developments that are making a meaningful difference to save lives.
Every life lost is one too many.
The Leader of the Opposition, the Hon Peter Dutton MP, said the Coalition will reverse Labor’s mental health cuts, and ensure Australia continues to work towards the goal of zero suicides.
“Sadly, too many Australians have been impacted by suicide. The Coalition is committed to working towards zero suicides in Australia, because that is the only accept number.
“Suicide Prevention Australia literally saves lives, and the National Suicide Prevention Research Fund is critical to this work. The Albanese Labor Government’s decision to cut funding for the Research Fund, frankly, does not make any sense.”
Shadow Minister for Health, Senator Anne Ruston said that it is only a Dutton Coalition Government who will restore mental health and suicide prevention as a national priority.
“Tragically, around 3,000 Australians die by suicide every year, and 75% of them are men. We must change this,” Senator Ruston said,
“To reverse this devastating trend, we must continue to invest in research that will identify the causes of suicide and how we can prevent it. We understand the importance of proactive and innovative solutions, and we will not waver in our commitment to save lives.”
CEO of Suicide Prevention Australia, Nieves Murray said that Suicide Prevention Australia welcomes this commitment from the Coalition to suicide prevention research.
“Research is a critical enabler of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy, providing the evidence base needed to drive real-world solutions that save lives,” Ms Murray said.
“Ongoing investment in research ensures we can better understand suicide risk factors, improve prevention efforts, and translate knowledge into action. We look forward to working with all sides of politics to ensure sustained funding for suicide prevention research into the future. “
Today’s announcement is in addition to the Coalition’s almost $1 billion investment to support the mental health of Australians, including our commitments to reverse Labor’s cruel cuts to Medicare mental health sessions and deliver a world-leading response to the youth mental health crisis.