I am guessing you are in Australia from the mention of Australian dollars.

That first Pdoc is a royal jackass. I Googled bipolar and Australia. Found the website for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. On that site are the clinical practice guidelines for Bipolar Disorder. The very first paragraph in that document refers to TWO types of Bipolar Disorder, type I (full mania), and type II (hypomania).

It looks like first Pdoc can't read, or doesn't care to read the guidelines he is supposed to be following. There are many drugs that can help Bipolar Disorder, not just Lithium!

I had Bipolar II for over 16 years before my psych NP diagnosed me. It's a long hard process to find the right help, but hang in there.