Petition

The petition of residents of the State of Queensland draws to the
attention of the House that during the period 2000-2003 the Mental
Illness Fellowship North Queensland (MIFNQ) received funding from
Queensland Health to provide a wide range of services, including the
provision of information, support, accommodation and advocacy. The
Fellowship has struggled to meet the increasing demands for all 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 (HRCMIP) and terminate the services 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 workshops, face-to-face counselling, education, and most
importantly a vision of hope for recovery. It is 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).