7. Budget 2018—Mental Health FundingMATT DOOCEY (National—Waimakariri) to the Minister of FinanceBudget 2018—Mental Health Funding7. MATT DOOCEY (National—Waimakariri) to the Minister of Finance: How much new funding is there for mental health in Budget 2018 and what unsuccessful bids did the Minister of Health make if any?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): I have been advised that increased funding to district health boards (DHBs) in Budget 2018 will see a minimum expected extra $50 million per year for four years going to mental health services. On top of that Budget 2018 also provided for $17 million for more nurses in secondary schools $10.5 million for an integrated therapies pilot for 18- to 25-year-olds. In addition this Government has already allocated $22 million for mental health services in Christchurch and Kaikōura schools. In answer to the second part of the question all Budget bids were carefully considered and in keeping with the practice of previous Ministers of Finance I will not be revealing the details of them in the House.Matt Doocey: So is the Minister saying that the Minister of Health did not bid for free mental health GP visits or mental health coordinators in primary care as promised in November?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: No.Matt Doocey: Does his new funding for mental health in Budget 2018 match the $100 million contingency fund his Government inherited from Budget 2017; if not why not?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: The $25 million per year that was promised but not detailed by the previous Government is in fact eclipsed by the additional $50 million per year that will be coming via DHBs.Matt Doocey: What does he say to the New Zealand Drug Foundation who said in reference to Budget 2018 funding So it looks like we all have to wait until the mental health and addictions inquiry for any new money for treatment. That's really disappointing."?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As I said in my primary answer we expect to have an additional $50 million per year going to mental health services. I'd also note that the feedback that we've had is that people who are affected by mental health issues and their families are very pleased that we are taking the time to do an inquiry and come up with the right responses rather than band-aid election year ideas.Matt Doocey: So is the Minister satisfied a mental health inquiry that costs $6.5 million allows only 15 days for the public to make oral submissions?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I believe that the inquiry will provide significantly more—SPEAKER: Order! Order! No I've just reflected on the question—no responsibility whatsoever.Matt Doocey: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. In response to supplementary question three the Minister brought up the mental health inquiry.SPEAKER: Yes and just because it's referred to doesn't mean that the Minister has responsibility for it. The Minister said funding would occur after the inquiry. The details of the inquiry are not this Minister's responsibility.Matt Doocey: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. This question was originally for the Minister of Health as you know. If he wasn't in hiding it would be helpful to ask him that.SPEAKER: Order! The National Party just lost five supplementary questions."