Arabic version: تعيين شين راتنبيري رئيساً تنفيذياً للايفلاين كانبيرا

According to ABC News, former ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury has been appointed chief executive officer of Lifeline Canberra and will begin the role on October 12.

Rattenbury announced his retirement from politics in April after more than 17 years in the Legislative Assembly. He was the ACT’s first dedicated mental health minister, serving from 2016 to 2020.

Lifeline Canberra recorded a 61 per cent increase in calls for help during the 2025-26 financial year. Rattenbury described the figure as concerning and said the organisation needed a well-trained volunteer team while considering services that could assist people before they reached crisis point.

Lifeline Canberra chair Warren Apps said 20 per cent of calls were related to domestic violence, while 15 per cent helped people with problem gambling. He said the service operated on the frontline across a broad range of social issues.

Apps said he was optimistic about the organisation’s future and its capacity to become a more central part of the ACT mental health system. The role also includes responsibility for Lifeline Narrm in Melbourne.