Tuesday, 21 March 2023

Petitions

Mental health tribunal membership

David HODGETT (Croydon) presented a petition bearing 8 signatures:

This petition of residents in Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Assembly that the Minister for Mental Health has suspended a community member from the Mental Health Tribunal until further investigation. An investigation has since been completed, the Minister has received the investigator’s report and other relevant information. It is now up to the Minister to make a final decision as to whether the member is to be returned to work or removed from the tribunal by the Governor in Council.

The member participated in the investigation process fully, as requested by the Minister, and now it is up to the Minister to do their part. The member has been off work for over 15 months now. The amount of time the suspension and investigation process, and now the final decision, has been drawn out for is unreasonable and has had a detrimental effect on the member, their family and community life.

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Assembly call on the Minister for Mental Health to make a decision about the status of the suspended community member on the Mental Health Tribunal without delay.