12. Question No. 12—Mental HealthDr CARLOS CHEUNG (National—Mt Roskill) to the Minister for Mental HealthQuestion No. 12—Mental Health12. Dr CARLOS CHEUNG (National—Mt Roskill) to the Minister for Mental Health: What comments has he seen regarding his recent announcement about Gumboot Friday?Hon MATT DOOCEY (Minister for Mental Health): Budget 2024 will provide $24 million over four years to contract the I Am Hope Foundation to provide young people aged between five to 25 years with free mental health counselling services through the Gumboot Friday initiative. This will enable Gumboot Friday to provide more than 15000 young New Zealanders access to free mental health counselling services each year. We know that mental health issues are one of the biggest issues facing New Zealanders each year. This announcement will play a vital role in enabling young people with mild to moderate mental health needs to access counselling services earlier. So that's why it was heartening to read so many supportive comments about this announcement.Dr Carlos Cheung: What other comments has he seen?Hon MATT DOOCEY: I'm advised MPs' inboxes and social media accounts have been overwhelmed with positive feedback following this announcement. Comments I've read include Melanie from Thames who commented Great. There are a lot that need it too. Get behind the initiatives that are already working." Rachel from Wellington said "This is fantastic news. This is a great investment in our young people." Finally Sandy commented "This is a wonderful organisation and much kudos to Mike King for hanging in there. Great to see my tax going to a worthy cause."Dr Carlos Cheung: Do any comments stand out for him?Hon MATT DOOCEY: Yes. One prominent New Zealander who was a self-described Labour supporter and donor said "The issue here needs to be focused on the fact that every cent that has been given to Gumboot Friday will be going to consultations for young people at the earliest signs of potential mental health issues. This is the ambulance at the top of the cliff rather than at the bottom and there is a huge need for that."Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: Point of order Mr Speaker. I take it by your silence that you're ruling that it's OK for Ministers to refer to someone's donor status in an answer. Therefore is it OK for the Opposition to question someone's donor status in a question? Because if it's acceptable for a Minister to refer to someone's donor status in an answer then it must be acceptable to ask that in a question.SPEAKER: Well I think there have been quite a few questions relating to donor status just recently. All I could say—Hon Shane Jones: It's envious!SPEAKER: If you don't mind—Mr Jones if you don't mind. No the one in front! What he was doing was quoting from a text that had been sent to him. Now that is reasonable. Whether it becomes reasonable in a question of course is quite a different matter—it must comply with the Standing Orders and Speakers' rulings. But this is not a particular Speaker's ruling that I'd rely on for any future questions. Any other questions on this matter?Dr Carlos Cheung: Why is the Government funding front-line mental health services for young people?Hon MATT DOOCEY: A report by the Auditor-General earlier this year found that despite a $1.9 billion investment into mental health by the previous Government young people in need of mental health support are waiting longer to access care. This new funding will enable at least 15000 young people to access free mental health counselling services through the Gumboot Friday platform every year. This Government is committed to better mental health outcomes for our young people and to getting more money out of Wellington and into the front-line services like Gumboot Friday that are already delivering.Dr Carlos Cheung: What reports has he seen regarding the return on investment for Gumboot Friday?Hon MATT DOOCEY: Gumboot Friday is a longstanding and a proven organisation that addresses the needs of our communities on the ground. A 2023 ImpactLab assessment found that every $1 invested in I Am Hope results in a social return to New Zealand of $5.70. This Government has committed to improving mental health and addiction outcomes for New Zealanders and is investing in this through Budget 2024.Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall: Did any other mental health charities have the opportunity to bid for the $24 million contract?Hon MATT DOOCEY: Two more sleeps to go.Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: Point of order Mr Speaker. That question concerned an announcement that the Government has already made not something that the Government may or may not be talking about on Budget day.SPEAKER: I think we'll have the question asked again.Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall: Thank you Mr Speaker. Did any other mental health charities have the opportunity to bid for the $24 million contract?Hon MATT DOOCEY: Two more sleeps to go.Rt Hon Chris Hipkins: Point of order Mr Speaker.SPEAKER: Give me a few seconds to come to it. I think the point is the question when it was asked was asked in the past tense about what happened at a particular time. It's a reasonable question and it is not dependent on an answer on something that happens in in a couple of days' time.Hon MATT DOOCEY: The commitment to Gumboot Friday was a coalition agreement."