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Coalition Seeks Community Feedback On Mental Health Changes The Coalition Government will provide further opportunity for public comment on the Exposure Draft of the Mental Health Bill, with the closing date for submissions extended until Monday 28 February 2011, By Russell Northe - 11th February 2011 - Back to News said Nationals Member for Morwell Russell Northe. "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," Mr Northe said. "Labor’s deadline did not provide individuals, families and other stakeholders with sufficient time to prepare submissions. As a result, the Coalition has decided to extend the closing date for submissions, allowing all stakeholders to put forward their ideas on the Exposure Draft of the Mental Health Bill. "There are a number of individuals, families and community groups who are affected by this important piece of legislation and I highly encourage those people to make a submission. "Based on the submissions already received and meetings held between myself, the Minister for Mental Health, stakeholders and the Gippsland 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 and the decision making capacity of young people. "I thank all those who have already made a submission, and please remember you are also welcome to make a supplementary submission if you feel there are further matters you wish to bring to the Minister’s attention or expand upon." Victoria's Mental Health Act 1986 is the oldest mental health legislation in Australia and needs to be brought into line with current standards. Public submissions are progressively made available on the review website for the information and reference of the community. Submissions on the Exposure Draft Mental Health Bill 2010 can be lodged electronically at http://www.health.vic.gov.au/mentalhealth/mhactreview or sent to Review of the Mental Health Act Department of Health GPO Box 4541 Melbourne 3000
Media: Russell Northe 0408 22 55 23 / Julia Auciello 5133 9088
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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