Bills
Mental Health and Wellbeing Bill 2022
Introduction and first reading
Mr MERLINO (Monbulk—Minister for Education, Minister for Mental Health) (12:04): I move:
That I introduce a bill for an act to re-enact, with amendments, the law relating to the treatment of persons living with mental illness or experiencing psychological distress, to repeal the Mental Health Act 2014 and the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2021, to consequentially amend other acts and for other purposes.
Motion agreed to.
Ms KEALY (Lowan) (12:05): I ask the minister for a brief explanation of the bill.
Mr MERLINO (Monbulk—Minister for Education, Minister for Mental Health) (12:05): I would be delighted. This bill fully acquits recommendation 42 of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System and lays the legislative groundwork to deliver on a number of other recommendations of the royal commission, including establishing a new statutory foundation on which to build Victoria’s mental health and wellbeing system, achieving the vision of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System. The bill creates several new governance and accountability entities, including the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission and Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Victoria; modernises our approach to crisis care; establishes new rights-based objectives and principles; and centres the views, values and preferences of lived experience at the heart of the new system.
Read first time.
Ordered to be read second time tomorrow.