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AAPi has been widely featured in national and regional media calling on the Federal Government to make disaster-response Medicare item numbers for mental health services permanent. AAPi Director Daniela McCann spoke with ABC Sydney, Dubbo Radio, 2SM and 3GG, highlighting the need for timely, funded psychological care following natural disasters, particularly ahead of bushfire season. The call follows the temporary Medicare items introduced after the 2019–20 Black Summer bushfires, which enabled faster access to support when it was most needed.
AAPi’s position was also featured in Croakey, with Executive Director Tegan Carrison highlighting that while governments often respond immediately after disasters, long-term mental health support is frequently lacking. She noted that permanent, disaster-responsive Medicare item numbers, alongside self-referral pathways, would remove critical barriers to care. “A permanent change would be a mark of compassion and commitment to the wellbeing of communities,” Carrison said, adding that self-referral would allow people to access psychological support without waiting for a GP appointment.
The story also appeared in The Canberra Times, Newcastle Herald, Illawarra Mercury, The Examiner, Yahoo News and other outlets.
Read AAPi's full position here.
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