THE state government says it will not cut funding to mental health services to cover the cost of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
The issue was raised by Mental Health Council of Tasmania chief executive Darren Carr in The Sunday Examiner's live blog The Grill in the past week.
"Governments may fund the NDIS by cutting funding to community services in other areas," he told participants.
"We have heard reports of this happening in other states.
"If the same occurs in Tasmania, it will be disastrous for people who do not have a permanent disability that are currently receiving support from community-based services.
"The majority of people living with mental illness who receive support are not permanently disabled and are being supported in their recovery to fully participate in society - as parents, workers, volunteers and whatever other roles they have.
"If the services that enable them to fulfil these roles are slashed to fund the NDIS, all it will do is support one disadvantaged under-serviced group by creating another larger under- supported group."
A state government spokesman said the state government would contribute $19.7 million to the scheme from next financial year to the federal government's $15 million contribution.
The state government was still working through funding arrangements for the scheme's full implementation from 2018.
The spokesman said that since 2004-05, the state's mental health services budget had increased by more than 140 per cent.
"The Tasmanian Government will not reduce Mental Health funding to cover the cost of the NDIS," he said.
NATIONAL domestic violence expert Elspeth McInnes will be on The Grill next Wednesday over an hour from 12.30pm.
A University of South Australia graduate research co- ordinator, Dr McInnes has research interests in families and separation, gender and violence, and child abuse and child protection.
To participate in the discussion, visit The Examiner's website (www.examiner.com.au) and click on the relevant link.