Tuesday, 30 May 2023

Mental Health and Wellbeing Amendment Bill 2023

Introduction and first reading

Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Health Infrastructure, Minister for Medical Research) (09:35): I move:

That I introduce a bill for an act to make minor amendments to the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022, to make consequential amendments to the Judicial Proceedings Reports Act 1958 and for other purposes.

Motion agreed to.

Emma KEALY (Lowan) (09:35): I ask the minister for a brief explanation of the bill.

Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Health Infrastructure, Minister for Medical Research) (09:35): This bill will amend the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 to ensure it operates as intended and can be implemented when it commences on 1 September 2023. Many of these amendments are minor or technical in nature, making corrections or providing clarity since the passage of the act in 2022. Other amendments within the bill are necessary to respond to changing circumstances in the evolving mental health service system since the act’s passage, including recognition that statutory obligations must not come into force before the system’s readiness to meet them.

Read first time.

Ordered to be read second time tomorrow.