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Victorian government reverses decision to close Parentline support for parents and carers

Victoria’s only dedicated parenting and care support line has been given an 11th-hour reprieve from being shut down.

Parentline counselors were told in an online meeting three weeks ago the service would close next month after the Victorian government with drawn funding, despite no consultation with staff or the union.

The service has been operating for 22 years.

The ABC understands some counselors had already taken redundancy packages and started looking for new jobs.

But following inquiries from the ABC, counselors were called into an emergency meeting at 7pm yesterday and told the government funding would continue for another 12 months.

The future of the service remains uncertain, with the state government saying it would undertake a review of the service to see if it was continuing to meet the needs of the community.

If the funding cut had gone ahead, Victoria would have been the only state in Australia without Parentline, which provides parents with confidential counseling and support seven days a week.

Parentline was regularly recommended alongside Lifeline and BeyondBlue for parents needing mental health support during the pandemic.

Service ‘a lifesaver’

Counselors were furious with the initial decision to shut down Parentline, and had accused the state government of abandoning vulnerable families who use the service and the children behind the calls.

Former minister for child protection Anthony Carbines, who currently holds the police, crime prevention and racing portfolios, made the decision to close the Parentline service in June without consulting with counsellors, the ABC has been told.

Recently appointed Minister for Child Protection Colin Brooks has since been in discussions with the Community and Public Sector Union and was involved in the last-minute decision to reinstate the funding.

An iphone screen lights up as someone touches it
Parentline has been operating in Victoria for 22 years.(Supplied: Pexels)

Jack* has used Parentline for close to three years after his marriage broke down and was anxious after he heard the service would be closing.

“I was seeing a traditional counselor who suggested this would be a good service and I have since run twice a month in all forms of distress,” he said.

“The counselors are very helpful in providing advice, there are a lot of uncertainties and anxieties being a sole parent and they have helped me engage with my child and communicate with my partner.”

“They are absolutely a lifesaver for some people.”

The state government said its 12-month review of Parentline would examine what alternative platforms may be available.

“Our priority continues to be keeping children safe and families strong,” a government spokesperson said.

“The Parentline Program is continuing to operate and we thank its dedicated staff for their tireless effort and support of Victorian families, parents and carers.”

‘Grave error’ to close service amid mental health system crisis

One counselor at the service, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the attempt to shut Parentline, which receives more than 1,000 calls a month, was a “serious error”.

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