Funds pulled from recovery centre

Mental Health Shadow Minister Stephen Dawson has accused the State Government of being "short-sighted" after funding was withdrawn from the Broome Community Recovery Centre.

Last week, the Broome Advertiser revealed the centre was set to scale back its services and could face closure after the Government discontinued funding.

BCRC was opened by Mental Health Minister Helen Morton in 2011 to provide recovery and support services for people at different stages of mental illness.

Funded by Royalties for Regions and the Mental Health Commission, the establishment is used by 14 government and non-government organisations to run various support programs.

Mental Health Commissioner Timothy Marney said the MHC had ceased funding as of last month because the centre had failed to deliver a transition plan within an allotted timeframe which outlined a community-managed organisation or consortium assuming responsibility for its financial viability.

Mr Dawson said the Government should support the centre in becoming sustainable.

"The State Government has to commit ongoing funding whether it's to this model and the board currently, or to another non-government organisation," he said.

"But the service is needed and it's just an outrage that they've just tried to walk away, which is essentially what they've done."

Mr Dawson said it was imperative the centre remained operational.

"People need to be plugged in to mental health services on an ongoing basis," he said.

"It's short-sighted to allow a service like this to close."

Kimberley MP Josie Farrer also condemned the decision.

"With the Kimberley region having some of the highest suicide rates in the country, the Barnett Government should be investing more money into mental health in the region, not taking it away."

Mr Dawson said he would write a letter to Mrs Morton calling on her to reinstate funding and direct MHC to collaborate with the centre directly to work out a sustainable strategy.