THE CEO of Headspace has resigned.
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But, Hume MP Angus Taylor has denied claims of funding cuts to the youth mental health organisation.
Chris Tanti, founding CEO, accepted a redundancy earlier this month in the wake of the national office budget being slashed from $19 million to $8 million next year.
He feared the government’s decision to hand over control of the organisation’s $170m to 31 Primary Health Networks over two years would have negative impacts on operations and potentially “dismantle” the system.
“I don’t think the MPs really understand the extent to which the organisation and the quality potentially is at risk," Mr Tanti said.
Headspace has treated 40,000 Australians aged 12-25, since its inception in 2005 by the Howard government.
Mr Tanti told media the changes effectively meant Headspace’s national office would no longer have oversight of clinical standards, hiring of staff, consistency of care or even which centres remain open.
Despite the claims, Mr Taylor says Goulburn’s Headspace centre is on track for an early 2017 opening. He said reports that the services were at risk were false.
Mr Taylor said there was $200 million in guaranteed funding for 100 Headspace centres over the coming years, including the Goulburn district centre.
“The Coalition’s landmark mental health reforms are putting the power to set up Headspace centres in the hands of local communities who want them, via the local Primary Health Networks (PHN), in our case the South Eastern NSW PHN - not leaving it up to bureaucrats in Canberra,” he said.
He said the claims were misleading.
“I want to assure the community that the Coalition is committed to realising the Goulburn Headspace vision,” Mr Taylor said.
He reassured the audience during the Goulburn Post's Meet The Candidates forum on Thursday night after a question from a Goulburn woman.
"I want honesty," Faye Long said.
In response, Mr Taylor said "there is no threat to the funding of Headspace and certainly no threat to the funding of Headspace in Goulburn."
"That is absolutely 100pc clear. Anyone who says otherwise is simply not telling the truth," he said.
"I have stood arm in arm with a number of members of this community to fight for a Headspace... I made it a personal crusade to get a Headspace in this city and it is coming."
Labor's Aoife Champion said it was her understanding funding was being cut, and that healthcare was under threat.
The Green's Michaela Sherwood said her party had announced a plan for increased funding for mental health services, particularly in regional areas, but could not recall the exact numbers.
Last month, Mr Taylor announced Grand Pacific Health (GPH) – a consortium of local organisations - would take on the role as the lead agency for the Goulburn Headspace centre.
GPH would manage the centre’s operations by establishing and maintaining the facilities and employing staff.
Goulburn’s Headspace will provide drug and alcohol, mental health, youth and general health services. GPH will also offer housing support and Indigenous services. GPH is currently looking at potential sites for the Goulburn centre.