Wednesday, 10 September 2025

Mental Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2025

Introduction and first reading

Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services) (09:36): I move:

That I introduce a bill for an act to amend the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 in relation to the Mental Health Tribunal, information sharing and other matters, to amend the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997 to abolish the forensic leave panel and to provide for the functions and powers of the Mental Health Tribunal under that act, to amend the Freedom of Information Act 1982 in relation to the Mental Health Tribunal, to amend the Health Services Act 1988 in relation to information sharing and for other purposes.

Motion agreed to.

Emma KEALY (Lowan) (09:37): I ask the minister for a brief explanation of the bill.

Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services) (09:37): This bill will transfer the functions of the Forensic Leave Panel to a new forensic division of the Mental Health Tribunal, ensure information-sharing provisions of the act operate as recommended by the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System and make minor and technical amendments to ensure the act operates as intended. The amendments within the bill are necessary to respond to changing circumstances in the evolving mental health service system since the act’s passage.

Read first time.

Ordered to be read second time tomorrow.