Wednesday, 20 March 2019

 Ms THOMAS (Macedon) (11:46): (384) My constituency question is for the Minister for Mental Health. Minister, it was an honour to stand with you and the Premier at Kyneton Men’s Shed in October last year to announce Victoria would hold a royal commission into the mental health system—the first of its kind in Australia. Finally mental health will get the attention it desperately needs. Minister, can you advise how you expect my community will be able to participate in the royal commission? As you know, mental health is an issue of great importance to so many people in my electorate, and it has been my privilege to support the Macedon Ranges Suicide Prevention Action Group, PS My Family Matters, Live4Life, and Melanie Jorgensen and the charity and mental health awareness group, Laps for Lachy, that she established to honour her son. Most recently there was a community mental health event hosted by Woodend/Hesket Football Netball Club featuring my constituent and founder of Puka Up, Wayne Schwass. Wayne’s powerful presentation focused on the particular mental health challenges faced by boys and men. My community has much to share with the royal commission, and we look forward to the minister’s response.