Mr MIKE BAIRD (Manly) [5.49 p.m.]: Tonight I speak about accommodation in the Manly area for people with mental health problems. As we know, mental health problems affect many people in many communities, but they have a particular impact on the northern beaches. People battling mental illness face enormous difficulties, but I am now very concerned about the Government's plans to sell mental health accommodation and abandon people in my community who are very much in need. In May the Government sold Kalaui in North Balgowlah and Moondah in Seaforth and pocketed almost $2 million. It has now flagged Yindi and Carramar in my electorate for sale, and that will ultimately leave the tenants homeless.

A local mental health worker has told my office the New South Wales Government plans to sell all its mental health accommodation and make tenants apply for new home through the Department of Housing. I spoke to the Minister for Housing in this Chamber not long ago and said there was now a blurring of the lines between these areas, and this is clearly becoming a reality. People waiting for Department of Housing accommodation in Manly now wait for 12 years. What will happen to these people when their houses are sold and they have nowhere to live? Clearly, we should be looking after people involved in these matters who do not have a voice. A resident of the northern beaches contacted me because she was distraught that the day her son moved into supported accommodation in Harbord he was told the Government was selling the house. He is 24 and has been battling schizophrenia for the past three years. He is spending a lot of time in Manly Hospital's east wing. The mother does a terrific job not only for her kids but for the community at large. I will read part of her letter:

Please explain why the assisted group homes on the northern beaches are all tagged for sale especially with such a huge waiting list for housing commission homes.

What will happen to those who depend on these homes which are close to the hospital, close to their family support networks and peer support groups? It will be totally soul destroying and inhumane to just send these people to other areas away from their support networks.

Currently it is extremely difficult if not impossible to obtain rental accommodation on the Peninsula with a disability pension and totally inhumane to expect those people to fend for themselves, most of whom would end up on the streets.

My son is one of many unwell people on the Peninsula who are struggling with their health and managing to cope in a group home situation with the support of the Assertive Outreach Team and the family network.

It is absolutely necessary to have these homes available within the community for the wellbeing of those not so fortunate to have good health.

A local mental health worker spoke to my staff about her concerns that more houses would be sold with disregard for the tenants and social workers trying to help them. She said that the last time houses were sold two tenants were moved out of the area and away from family and friends, who are their support network. They are the houses to which I referred. Another two were moved into Department of Housing apartments, but they were not necessarily ready for independent living. That is part of the problem; this is not simply a budgetary issue. These people are not able to live independently, and moving them into apartments is totally inappropriate.

The mental health worker believes there are enough resources in mental health but they are not being used properly. She said knee-jerk decisions are made in times of crisis rather than as part of an overall management plan. She believes that too many people are being paid too much in middle management but they are not adding value. Apparently four project officers were appointed the last time mental health hit the headlines. Those officers were appointed to do a clinical redesign and are on 18-month contracts. Significantly, they do not see any patients although that is the area of need. This worker is incredibly concerned. That appears to contradict the Iemma Government's commitment. In its policy statement "A New Direction for Mental Health", Morris Iemma stated:

The day I became Premier I pledged my Government would do more—much more—to help those with a mental illness ... People with a mental illness deserve a continuity of care and a more seamless delivery of services, and that is what we are committed to provide.

As I stand here today the future is uncertain for the people living in these two houses. They have been told the houses will be sold, that they are unlikely to have a home, and that they may have to join a very long queue and wait for years. That could very well be the last straw for people suffering with a mental illness. I call on the Government to answer these questions. The cynic in me asks whether these resources are being used to prop up the health budget. I ask the Minister to take note of these concerns.