MP calls for cross-party co-operation

A stoush over the axing of a police mental health scheme has prompted National to propose a cross-party group to solve the country’s mental health crisis.

Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey has written to all of his parliamentary colleagues, asking them to put their heads together and find ‘‘common ground’’ to help increase access to services.

He wants that to happen before a Government inquiry reports back in October. The Government has called his bluff, saying its MPs are interested but only once the inquiry has published its findings.

Stuff reported on Sunday how funding for a police mental health unit – designed to slash call-outs by 75 per cent – was re-allocated to other ‘‘priorities’’.

Doocey wrote to MPs this week, citing growing demand for services.

‘‘Every New Zealander will experience good and bad mental health over the course of their lives so we are all in this together.’’

He said a cross-party mental health group was a success in Scotland and pointed to a New Zealand body on climate change as ‘‘successful in breaking down barriers’’.

The mental health spokesman also couldn’t resist a dig at his political rivals – calling on Labour to re-instate 17 initiatives proposed by the previous National Government and either axed or put on review by Health Minister David Clark.

Clark bit back, saying: ‘‘It is good to see the Opposition taking mental health seriously . . . . I am open to any constructive cross-party discussions on mental health.’’