Community feedback sought on mental health changes

28 January 2011

The Minister for Mental Health, Mary Wooldridge, has extended the deadline for public comment on the Exposure Draft of the Mental Health Bill.

The closing date for submissions will now be Monday 28 February 2011, allowing all stakeholders the opportunity to put forward their ideas on the Exposure Draft Bill.

"During the election campaign we made a commitment to ensure that the mental health sector, people living with a mental illness and their families and carers have the opportunity to submit their ideas and have them taken into account in framing the Bill introduced into Parliament," Ms Wooldridge said.

"Based on the submissions already received and meetings between the Minister, stakeholders and the Department of Human Services, it is also clear that some issues need further discussion and review. These include issues such as the sharing of information, the provision of compulsory treatment and ECT [electroconvulsive therapy] and the decision making capacity of young people."

People who had already made a submission are also welcome to make a supplementary submission if they feel there are further matters they wished to bring up.

The Exposure Draft Bill represents the culmination of more than two years work to replace Australia's oldest mental health legislation with a new Act. The new Act better protects and promotes rights and reflects contemporary policy and practice in mental health care, particularly in regard to compulsory treatment.

Public submissions are progressively made available on the review website for the information and reference of the community.

Submissions

To assist members of the community write a submission, an Explanatory Guide and Information Sheet together with the Exposure Draft Bill are available on the Mental Health Act Review website.

Submissions on the Exposure Draft Mental Health Bill 2010 can be lodged electronically at the Mental Health Act Review website. Submissions may also be sent to:

Review of the Mental Health Act
Department of Health
GPO Box 4541 Melbourne 3000