E-Petition

The petition of residents of the State of Queensland draws to the
attention of the House that during the period 2000-2003 Mental Illness
Fellowship North Queensland (MIFNQ) received funding from Queensland
Health to fund a wide range of services, including the provision of
information, support accommodation and advocacy. The Fellowship
struggled to meet the increasing demands for its services without
equivalent increases in funding. All staff work part time hours as a
cost-saving measure and it has become necessary to cut the Help for the
Rural Caregivers of the Mentally Ill Program (HRCMI) and terminate the
service of a valued employee. The award winning HRCMI program provided
support to individuals and families of over 30 rural and remote centres
of North Queensland. The program included workshop, face-to-face
counselling, education, and most importantly a vision of hope for
recovery. It’s anticipated that the impact of the cut to the rural
outreach program will be significant.

Your petitioners therefore request the House to request the Government to
take all steps possible to assist the Fellowship provide the HRCMI
Program until the end of the financial year (June 2004).

Request the House to request the
Government to take all steps possible to
assist the Fellowship provide the HRCMI
Program until the end of the financial year
(June 2004).