Lifeline Australia

The Hon. AILEEN MacDONALD (12:33:46):

I move:

(1)That this House recognises that Lifeline Australia has been operating since 1963, bringing hope to people in their darkest moments.

(2)That this House notes that:

(a)Lifeline Services are made possible through the efforts of:

(i)1,000 staff; and

(ii)10,000 volunteers.

(b)Lifeline Australia operates more than 41 accredited Lifeline centres across Australia; and

(c)the services Lifeline Australia provides include:

(i)suicide prevention and bereavement services;

(ii)face-to-face counselling;

(iii)gambling counselling;

(iv)mental health support;

(v)youth services;

(vi)disability services;

(vii)welfare programs;

(viii)domestic and family violence response training;

(ix)rural outreach;

(x)family and mediation services;

(xi)counselling services for children;

(xii)information, education and support;

(xiii)aged care visitation;

(xiv)Indigenous support services;

(xv)disaster recovery and psychological first aid; and

(xvi)drug and alcohol counselling.

(3)That this House notes that:

(a)Lifeline has seen demand for its services grow over the past few years following the pandemic, lockdowns, bushfires and floods;

(b)Lifeline's 50 busiest days on record have all occurred since the COVID-19 pandemic, with the busiest day on record being 1 January 2022 with 3,726 calls; and

(c)Lifeline Australia expects the demand for its services to continue to expand.

(4)That this House thanks Lifeline Australia and all its workers, volunteers and donors for the important work they are doing and encourages anyone who needs support to reach out on 13 11 14.

Motion agreed to.

‍