STOP DANGLING THE CARROT AND JUST ANNOUCE A HEADSPACE!

Young lives are being put at risk while the Federal Government waits to establish a Headspace service in the Hawkesbury, Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman has said.

Facebook posts on the weekend announcing more funding for the small “satellite” Headspace service in Katoomba hinted at future announcement of a Headspace in the Hawkesbury, Ms Templeman said.

“Buried in the two Facebook posts that went up - one by the Foreign Minister and one by a Hawkesbury councillor - was a reference to a Hawkesbury Headspace,” Ms Templeman said.

“If there is going to be a Headspace for the Hawkesbury, and if there was funding set aside in the last Budget that is yet to be announced but is for a Hawkesbury Headspace, people deserve to know that, right now.

“Frankly, kids are dying while they are waiting to get easy access to youth mental health.

“We can't wait and see a Hawkesbury Headspace used as some pre-election gift to the community. It's an essential service and if the funding is sitting there waiting to be announced, we need to know now.

“Every single day that this government delays announcing a Headspace for the Hawkesbury - if that is their intention - is another day that kids' lives are put at risk.

“I welcome any additional funding for Katoomba Headspace, a service which has been open less than a year and is clearly insufficient as a satellite service. I'm looking forward to seeing what additional services that means it will be able to deliver.

“But hundreds of people have joined together with me to call for a Headspace service in the Hawkesbur