Victorian Premier Dan Andrews announced a $60M mental health package for Victoria (in addition to Commonwealth funding previously announced). Funds going to 4 key areas:

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1) Front line services, incl issues ranging from eating disorders to suicide prevention. Mental health counselling sector has seen an increase in demand for mental health outreach. E.g. 30% increase in calls to Beyond Blue; LifeLine reports 1 in 4 calls are Covid-19 related. 2/

2) Funding for 35 to 40 organisations caring for at-risk communities, from Aboriginal-controlled health organisations to LGBTQIA organisations. Women's organisations mentioned in passing, but not specifically domestic and family violence.

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3) Funding to transition mental health support online, including $6M to the Origin youth platform.

4) Adult and youth hospital-in-the-home beds, especially for regional Vic

Premier says we'll be dealing with mental health consequences of Covid-19 "for many years to come."

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Spoke on the returning Australians from the Uruguay cruise, who will soon arrive by plane to Melbourne. 79% of 112 passengers are confirmed to be Covid-19 positive (diagnosed 1 week ago offshore). Only one person has been hospitalised, but they're not in urgent care.

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The other passengers will be put into forced quarantine in Melbourne hotels. These existing cases wil NOT be counted towards the state tally, because they were diagnosed overseas. If about new cases arise whilst in quarantine, they will be counted towards the Victorian tally.

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A further 1,000 Australians are scheduled to arrive from other overseas locations, including from India and Peru.

Premier was asked about the one death in quarantine. He says the Coroner will determine cause of death, but the Premier is confident it's not due to Covid-19;

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the victim was not diagnosed as positive. It seemed it may be related to a pre-existing condition. (Police have said they're not treating the death as suspicious.) The Premier says he's confident that quarantine measures are providing satisfactory care.

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Asked about footy returning, the Premier notes this is a decision for the AFL in consultation with Vic Health. He said he can't imagine that we will return to normal in the weeks or months to come.

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The Premier reiterated that Australia is in a relatively stable condition due to our social distancing laws. The Premier to say there were no new confirmed cases in Victoria overnight (however media are reporting 3 new confirmed cases overnight).

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Premier noted the measures we have in place must continue as we cannot afford to be complacent. Victoria has a total of 1,268 confirmed cases (of 1.8M national cases), and yesterday, Sat 11th April, the 14th Victorian victim died from Covid-19 (of 58 deaths Australia wide).

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The Premier was asked about the release of convicted child sex offender, Cardinal George Pell. It was difficult to hear questions by journalists, but it seems the Premier opposes his relocation in Victoria or disagrees with his release.

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The Premier said (paraphrasing): 1) "I believe the victims and my focus is on them;" 2) "it's a fact that the Church has knowingly moved child sex abusers around regional Australia and this is deplorable;" 3) "Easter may be an ideal time to reflect on these facts." /13

That's one of the most damning comments I've heard from the Premier on this case to date. Good to focus on the victims and their ongoing fight for justice and their struggle for healing.

/end.