11. Question No. 11—HealthMATT DOOCEY (National—Waimakariri) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 11—Health11. MATT DOOCEY (National—Waimakariri) to the Minister of Health: Why did he say of the final report from the Government's $6.5 million mental health inquiry that I guess doesn't contain too many surprises"?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health): I think all members of this House will have heard stories from people with lived experience of mental health and addiction issues and will know that we face huge challenges in this area; that is no surprise. It is one thing to know we need to change and it's another thing to know what that change will look like. The inquiry panel heard from thousands of New Zealanders and has produced a considered report containing 40 recommendations. It is already shaping and will shape our response to mental health and addiction for years to come.Matt Doocey: What does he say to Shaun Robinson Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation who said "The government have been waiting for the inquiry and the inquiry has instructed them to stop delaying and get going. There is no further justification for delay"?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: This Government has not had any delay. We invested $200 million into the mental health and addiction ring-fence for district health boards in our first Budget. We launched the mental health and addiction inquiry in our first 100 days. We've introduced the Mana Ake programme in Kaikōura and Canterbury to get mental health workers on the ground in primary schools and in intermediate schools. We've introduced nurses in schools for decile 4 which we're rolling out across New Zealand. And on Saturday we introduced community service card discounts that will be on average $20 to $30 per person across the country for over 500000 New Zealanders which is the way into mental health services through primary care for most people and we think that that will make it more accessible. On top of that we will be making announcements shortly around the talking therapies pilot announced in the Budget for 18- to 25-year-olds an initiative sparked by recommendations from the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand. We are getting on with a number of things in the meantime because the evidence is there and we will continue to get on with it. We will respond urgently and carefully—SPEAKER: Order! Order! That's enough thank you.Matt Doocey: Can he commit with almost $3 billion prioritised for a failed tertiary fees-free policy that his Government will ensure there is enough funding to adequately respond to what the public expects from the mental health inquiry?SPEAKER: I'm going to give the member one more chance to get that question in order.Matt Doocey: Can he commit that there is enough funding to adequately respond to what the public expects from the findings of the mental health inquiry?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: This Government has been really clear already that one of the key priorities in the upcoming Budget is mental health and well-being. This Government is committed to responding meaningfully and significantly to this report; however I will note that many of the issues that we are facing have built up over years: workforce issues senior nurses around the country are in short supply. We have inherited underfunding in our health system which will make response challenging. We're committed to dealing with the issues we've inherited but I think the member will understand that his Government has set us in a difficult starting place.Matt Doocey: Given the mental health inquiry report recommending establishing a cross-party group in Parliament will he accept my invitation to join a cross-party group on mental health which he previously rejected?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I will note that Mike Houlahan had an excellent piece in the Otago Daily Times today about the concern about this inquiry being turned into a political football. I share his concerns but I do look forward to all parties in this House playing a constructive role as we respond to this inquiry. In the first instance the Health Committee is the most appropriate vehicle for cross-party discussions and I understand the committee will receive a briefing on this very report later this month."