‘Zero’ the only target

HEALTH Minister Greg Hunt says a suicide target of none in Australia is the only one he will commit to.

Lifeline is among groups pushing for a national target, of 25 per cent reduction in suicide deaths within five years.

“All of these targets are important and critical, but the only acceptable target from my perspective is a zero target,” Mr Hunt told ABC radio yesterday.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed there were 3128 deaths by suicide in Australia last year, compared to 2866 in 2016. Lifeline 13 11 14, beyondblue 1300 22 4636.