Thursday, 19 March 2026

Bills

Entities Legislation Amendment (Consolidation and Other Matters) Bill 2025

The Acting Speaker, Danny PEARSON, Emma KEALY
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Entities Legislation Amendment (Consolidation and Other Matters) Bill 2025

Council’s amendments

 The ACTING SPEAKER (Nathan Lambert) (16:31): I have received a message from the Legislative Council agreeing to the Entities Legislation Amendment (Consolidation and Other Matters) Bill 2025 with amendments.

Ordered that amendments be taken into consideration later this day.

Appropriation

 The ACTING SPEAKER (Nathan Lambert) (16:32): I inform the house that I have received a message from the Governor recommending a further appropriation for the purposes of the Entities Legislation Amendment (Consolidation and Other Matters) Bill 2025.

Council’s amendments

Message from Council relating to following amendments considered:

1.   Clause 1, page 3, lines 23 to 28, omit all words and expressions on these lines and insert –

“(ii) to provide for the appointment of a Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner; and”.

2.   Clause 1, page 3, line 29, omit “(iv)” and insert “(iii)”.

3.   Clause 101, lines 15 and 16, omit all words and expressions on these lines and insert –

‘(2) For section 647(6) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 substitute –

“(6)   In making a recommendation to the Governor in Council, the Minister must ensure that ‍–

(a)   at least one member of the Board is a person who identifies as experiencing, or having experienced, mental illness or psychological distress; and

(b)   at least one member of the Board, other than the member referred to in paragraph ‍(a), is a person who identifies as –

(i)   experiencing, or having experienced, mental illness or psychological distress; or

(ii)   caring for or supporting, or having cared for or supported, a person experiencing mental illness or psychological distress; and

(c)   if the Board is to consist of 7 or more members, at least one member of the Board, other than the members referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b), is a person who identifies as –

(i)   experiencing, or having experienced, mental illness or psychological distress; or

(ii)   caring for or supporting, or having cared for or supported, a person experiencing mental illness or psychological distress.”.

(3) Section 647(7) and (8) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 are repealed.’.

4.   Clause 103, lines 26 to 28, omit all words and expressions on these lines and insert –

‘“(4) The quorum for a meeting of the Centre Board is a majority of the members of the Board for the time being and –

(a)   if the Board consists of 6 members or fewer, must include at least one member who identifies as –

(i)   experiencing, or having experienced, mental illness or psychological distress; or

(ii)   caring for or supporting, or having cared for or supported, a person experiencing mental illness or psychological distress; or

(b)   if the Board consists of 7 or more members, must include at least 2 members who identify as –

(i)   experiencing, or having experienced, mental illness or psychological distress; or

(ii)   caring for or supporting, or having cared for or supported, a person experiencing mental illness or psychological distress.”.’.

5.   Clause 114, lines 30 and 31, omit all words and expressions on these lines and insert –

‘“Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner means the Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner appointed under section 420(1A);”.’.

6.   Clause 114, page 103, lines 5 to 8, omit all words and expressions on these lines and insert –

‘(3) In section 3(1) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022, in the definition of Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner –

(a)   for “a Mental” substitute “the Mental”;

(b)   for “section 420” substitute “section 420(1)”.’.

7.   Clause 116, omit this clause.

8.   Clause 117, lines 2 and 3, omit all words and expressions on these lines and insert –

‘For section 417(a) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 substitute –

“(a) the Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner;”.’.

9.   Clause 118, lines 6 to 8, omit all words and expressions on these lines and insert –

‘In section 419(4) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 –

(a) for “a Mental” substitute “the Mental”;

(b) after “Commissioner” insert “or Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner”.’.

10.   Clause 119, line 9, omit “Sections 419A and 419B” and insert “Section 419A”.

11.   Clause 119, line 10, omit “Sections 419A and 419B” and insert “Section 419A”.

12.   Clause 119, line 11, omit “are” and insert “is”.

13.   Clause 120, lines 15 to 17, omit all words and expressions on these lines and insert –

‘(2) In section 419C(b) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 –

(a)   for “a Mental” substitute “the Mental”;

(b)   after “Commissioner” insert “or Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner”.’.

14.   Clause 121, line 21, after “Commissioner” insert “and Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner”.

15.   Clause 122, line 25, after “Commissioner” insert “and Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner”.

16.   Clause 122, lines 28 to 31, omit all words and expressions on these lines and insert –

‘“(1) On the recommendation of the Minister, the Governor in Council, by instrument, may appoint a person to be the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner.

(1A) On the recommendation of the Minister, the Governor in Council, by instrument, may appoint a person to be the Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner.”.’.

17.   Clause 122, page 105, lines 1 to 11, omit all words and expressions on these lines and insert –

‘(3) For section 420(2) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 substitute –

“(2)   In making a recommendation to the Governor in Council under subsection (1) or (1A), the Minister must ensure that either the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner or Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner is –

(a)   a person who identifies as experiencing, or having experienced, mental illness or psychological distress; or

(b)   a person who identifies as caring for or supporting, or having cared for or supported, a person experiencing mental illness or psychological distress.”.

(4)   In section 420(3) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 –

(a)   after “Council” insert “under subsection (1) or (1A)”;

(b)   for “Commissioners” substitute “Commissioner and Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner”.

(5)   For section 420(4) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 substitute –

“(4)   To avoid doubt –

(a)   the appointment of a person referred to in subsection (2)(a) or (b) as the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner does not prevent another person referred to in subsection (2)(a) or (b) from being appointed as the Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner; and

(b)   the appointment of a person referred to in subsection (2)(a) or (b) as the Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner does not prevent another person referred to in subsection (2)(a) or (b) from being appointed as the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner.”.’.

18.   Clause 123, after line 15 insert –

‘(1A) After section 421(1) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 insert –

“(1A)   The Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner –

(a)   is to be appointed for the period, not exceeding 5 years, specified in the instrument of appointment; and

(b)   is eligible for reappointment; and

(c)   holds office on any other terms and conditions, including remuneration and any travelling or other allowances, that are determined by the Governor in Council.”.’.

19.   Clause 123, lines 16 to 19, omit all words and expressions on these lines and insert –

‘(2) For section 421(2) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act substitute –

“(2)   The Public Administration Act 2004 (other than Part 3 of that Act) applies –

(a)   to the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner in respect of the office of Commissioner; and

(b)   to the Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner in respect of the office of Deputy Commissioner.”.’.

20.   Clause 124, lines 21 to 23, omit all words and expressions on these lines and insert –

‘In section 422 of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 –

(a) for “A Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner” substitute “The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner or Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner”;

(b) after “the Commissioner” insert “or Deputy Commissioner (as the case requires)”.’.

21.   Clause 125, lines 25 to 27, omit all words and expressions on these lines and insert –

‘(1) In section 423(1) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 –

(a)   for “a Mental” substitute “the Mental”;

(b)   after “Commissioner” insert “or Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner”.

(1A) In section 423(2) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 –

(a)   for “a Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner” substitute “the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner or Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner”;

(b)   for “the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner” (where first occurring) substitute “the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner (as the case requires)”;

(c)   in paragraph (e), for “the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner” substitute “the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner”.’.

22.   Clause 125, line 32, after “Commissioner” insert “or Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner”.

23.   Clause 125, page 106, lines 1 and 2, omit all words and expressions on these lines and insert –

‘(b) for “the Chair’s removal” (where first occurring) substitute “that removal”;

(c) for “the Chair’s removal from office” substitute “that removal”.’.

24.   Clause 126, after line 15 insert –

‘(1A) After section 424(1) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 insert –

“(1A)   The Governor in Council may appoint a person to act in the office of the Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner –

(a)   during a vacancy in that office; or

(b)   during any period when the Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner ‍–

(i)   is absent; or

(ii)   for any other reason is unable to perform the duties of the office of Deputy Commissioner.”.’.

25.   Clause 126, lines 16 to 18, omit all words and expressions on these lines and insert –

‘(2) In section 424(2) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 –

(a)   for “a Mental” (where first occurring) substitute “the Mental”;

(b)   for “the office of a Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner” (where secondly occurring) substitute “that office”.

(3) After section 424(2) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 insert –

“(2A)   The Minister may appoint a person to act in the office of the Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner for a period of not more than 6 months during a vacancy in that office.”.

(4) In section 424(3) and (5) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022, after “subsection ‍(1)” insert “or (1A)”.

(5) In section 424(4) and (6) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022, after “subsection ‍(2)” insert “or (2A)”.’.

26.   Clause 127, lines 20 to 25, omit all words and expressions on these lines and insert –

‘(1) In section 425(1) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022, for “A Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner, including an acting Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner,” substitute “A person specified in subsection (3)”.

(2) In section 425(2) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022, for “a Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner, including an acting Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner,” substitute “a person specified in subsection (3)”.

(3) After section 425(2) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 insert –

“(3)   For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2), the following persons are specified –

(a)   the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner, including an acting Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner;

(b)   the Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner, including an acting Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner.”.’.

27.   Clause 128, page 107, lines 1 to 8, omit all words and expressions on these lines and insert –

‘(2) In section 426(1) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022, for “Commissioners are collectively” substitute “Commissioner is”.’.

28.   Clause 129, omit this clause.

29.   Clause 130, omit this clause.

30.   Clause 131, omit this clause.

31.   Clause 132, lines 14 to 16, omit all words and expressions on these lines and insert –

‘For section 500(2) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 substitute –

“(2) The following persons may administer an oath or affirmation to a person for the purposes of subsection (1) –

(a)   the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner;

(b)   the Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner;

(c)   a member of the staff of the Commission who is authorised to do so.”.’.

32.   Clause 133, lines 19 and 20, omit ‘for “a Mental” substitute “Mental”.’ and insert ‘after “Commissioner” insert “, Deputy Commissioner”.’.

33.   Clause 133, lines 21 to 23, omit all words and expressions on these lines and insert –

‘(2) In section 508 of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 –

(a)   for “was” substitute “has been”;

(b)   after “Commissioner” insert “, a Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner”.’.

34.   Clause 134, lines 26 to 28, omit all words and expressions on these lines and insert –

‘(1) In section 517(2) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 –

(a)   for “a Mental” substitute “the Mental”;

(b)   after “Commissioner,” insert “the Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner,”.

(2) In section 517(3) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 –

(a)   for “a Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner,” substitute “the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner, the Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner,”;

(b)   for “the person employed or the person engaged (as the case may be)” substitute “Deputy Commissioner or person”.

(3) In section 517(4) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 –

(a)   for “a Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner,” substitute “the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner, the Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner,”;

(b)   after “the Commissioner” insert “, Deputy Commissioner”.’.

35.   Clause 135, lines 31 to 33, omit all words and expressions on these lines and insert –

‘(1) In section 518(1) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 –

(a)   for “A Mental” substitute “The Mental”;

(b)   after “Commissioner,” insert “the Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner,”.’.

36.   Clause 135, page 111, lines 1 to 4, omit all words and expressions on these lines and insert –

‘(2) In section 518(2) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 –

(a)   for “a Commissioner,” substitute “the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner, the Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner,”;

(b)   in paragraphs (a) and (g), after “Commissioner” insert “, Deputy Commissioner”.’.

37.   Clause 136, lines 6 to 12, omit all words and expressions on these lines and insert –

‘(1) In section 519(1) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 –

(a)   for “A Mental” substitute “The Mental”;

(b)   after “Commissioner,” insert “the Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner,”.

(2) In section 519(2) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022, for “a Commissioner,” substitute “the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner, the Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner,”.

(3) In section 519(3) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022, for “a Commissioner” substitute “the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner or Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner”.

(4) In section 519(4) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 –

(a)   for “a Commissioner,” substitute “the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner, the Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner,”;

(b)   after “the Commissioner” insert “, Deputy Commissioner”.’.

38.   Insert the following New Clause before clause 137 –

‘136A New section 524A inserted

After section 524 of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 insert –

“524A   Requirement to disclose certain information to the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission

(1)   The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission, by written notice, may request from the Health Secretary information that is relevant to the performance of the Commission’s functions or the exercise of the Commission’s powers.

(2)   On receiving a request under subsection (1), the Health Secretary must give to the Commission the information specified in the request that the Health Secretary holds.

(3)   Information that is disclosed under subsection (2) must not include information that identifies an individual.”.’.

39.   Clause 137, omit this clause.

40.   Clause 138, omit this clause.

41.   Clause 139, omit this clause.

42.   Clause 141, page 114, line 11, omit “section 420 as amended” and insert “section 420(1) as substituted”.

43.   Clause 141, page 114, line 14, omit ‘2025.”.’ and insert “2025.”.

44.   Clause 141, page 114, after line 14 insert –

‘793 Appointment of interim Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner

(1) Despite anything to the contrary in this Act, the Minister, by instrument, may appoint a person to be the Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner for a period beginning on or after the commencement of Division 2 of Part 8 of the Entities Legislation Amendment (Consolidation and Other Matters) Act 2025 and ending on a day that is no later than 6 months after the commencement of that Division.

(2) Despite anything to the contrary in the instrument of appointment, a person appointed under subsection (1) goes out of office on an appointment of a person under section 420(1A) as substituted by Division 2 of Part 8 of the Entities Legislation Amendment (Consolidation and Other Matters) Act 2025.”.’.

 The ACTING SPEAKER (Nathan Lambert) (16:32): Before the house considers these amendments, I direct the attention of the house to amendments 18, 25 and 26 made by the Legislative Council. Following examination, I am of the opinion that the amendments are a direct infringement on the privileges of the house as they seek to force an appropriation from the Consolidated Fund. Under the Constitution Act 1975, an appropriating clause can only be initiated by the Assembly.

 Danny PEARSON (Essendon – Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs, Minister for Finance, Minister for Government Services) (16:33): I move:

That:

(1)   Amendments 1 to 17, 19 to 24 and 27 to 44 be agreed to.

(2)   The Assembly refuses to entertain amendments 18, 25 and 26 as they infringe the privileges of the Assembly.

(3)   The Assembly makes the following further amendments to the bill:

1. Clause 123, after line 15 insert –

‘(1A)   After section 421(1) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 insert –

“(1A)   The Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner –

(a)   is to be appointed for the period, not exceeding 5 years, specified in the instrument of appointment; and

(b)   is eligible for reappointment; and

(c)   holds office on any other terms and conditions, including remuneration and any travelling or other allowances, that are determined by the Governor in Council.”.’.

2. Clause 126, lines 16 to 18, omit all words and expressions on these lines and insert –

‘(2)   In section 424(2) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 –

(a)   for “a Mental” (where first occurring) substitute “the Mental”;

(b)   for “the office of a Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner” (where secondly occurring) substitute “that office”.

(3)   After section 424(2) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 insert –

“(2A)   The Minister may appoint a person to act in the office of the Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner for a period of not more than 6 months during a vacancy in that office.”.

(4)   In section 424(3) and (5) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022, after “subsection (1)” insert “or (1A)”.

(5)   In section 424(4) and (6) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022, after “subsection (2)” insert “or (2A)”.’.

3. Clause 127, lines 20 to 25, omit all words and expressions on these lines and insert –

‘(1)   In section 425(1) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022, for “A Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner, including an acting Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner,” substitute “A person specified in subsection (3)”.

(2)   In section 425(2) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022, for “a Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner, including an acting Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner,” substitute “a person specified in subsection (3)”.

(3)   After section 425(2) of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 insert –

“(3)   For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2), the following persons are specified –

(a)   the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner, including an acting Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner;

(b)   the Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner, including an acting Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner.”.’.

I thank the other place for their work in amending the Entities Legislation Amendment (Consolidation and Other Matters) Bill 2025. I have been advised there is an amendment which could not be moved by the other place because it had an appropriation attached to it, meaning it must be moved in this place. Therefore, I will now move on behalf of the government an amendment which enacts a commissioner and deputy commissioner model for the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission. This amendment inserts a new section into the bill to provide for the terms and conditions of the appointment of a deputy commissioner who will support the commissioner in performing their role.

It clarifies that both the commissioner and deputy commissioner are covered by the Public Administration Act 2004, providing consistent accountability, ethical obligations and governance under the new leadership model. Moving from a four-commissioner model to a two-commissioner model, as this amendment will deliver, will streamline leadership and governance at the commission and provide clearer and more effective leadership. Moving to a commissioner and deputy commissioner model strengthens accountability. It reduces duplication while maintaining the commission’s independence and core functions.

These amendments make targeted changes to strengthen lived-experience leadership and retain the commission’s existing oversight powers. The amendments require that at least one of the mental health and wellbeing commissioner or the new role of deputy commissioner has lived experience. This embeds lived experience at the highest level of leadership, ensuring it remains a focus of every aspect of the commission’s work. I commend the amendments.

 Emma KEALY (Lowan) (16:36): Today is an important day for the mental health sector because today we see amendments that will be passed through this house that will ensure that the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission have the teeth to be able to do the job that they were originally intended to have, as set out by the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System back in 2021. It is an incredible day whether you are one of the lived-experience people, people who are carers or consumers; whether you are a stakeholder working within the mental health sector; or whether you just care a lot that people can have access to mental health support where and when they need it.

The fact of the matter is that in implementing the royal commission’s recommendations we needed a commission to be able to have oversight of this important work. We needed a commission who was able to access the relevant data, able to have that level of oversight, so that they could provide recommendations to government and so that they could ensure that where recommendations had not been implemented the government could be held to account and that when recommendations had been implemented well they were able to acknowledge that to give consumers comfort that the mental health system was actually designed and would work for Victorians.

Unfortunately we have had a situation where the commission has been unable to do its job. Having four commissioners has been challenging in working out that dynamic over how they could actually fulfil the role of an organisation or entity which had been newly established. Taking in the aspects that were previously under the mental health complaints commissioner and also having the responsibility for oversight of the implementation of the royal commission’s recommendations, it was a heaving role. There were challenges in being able to deliver the aspirations of what the commission was set out to achieve. Unfortunately some of those challenges were because the commission could not fulfil its role because it could not access data from the Department of Health. This may be because there were loopholes and information was intended to be provided but there were restrictions that provided for that within the existing legislation.

Given its oversight role, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission have an obligation to access a high level of detail and have a higher threshold around the level of detail that they should be able to access to fulfil their role. They were unable to access that data, and as a result information was not able to be received. The workload that the commissioners would have liked to provide to the government and to the community was not able to be delivered. As a result, there has been some contest over whether the commission was actually designed correctly and whether it could ever fulfil its role. There is incredible frustration right across the mental health sector and indeed for many Victorians, particularly Victorians who live in rural and regional Victoria, in regard to mental health supports.

When we first heard that the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System was going to go ahead, there was a sigh of relief. Victoria used to have the best mental health system in Australia, if not the world, and over time that had eroded. There was a glimmer of hope that we might actually get to a position where Victoria was again a world leader when it came to delivery of mental health services. There was certainly a great hope when the royal commission handed down its interim report in 2019 and then, further, its final report in 2021 that we would finally have a responsive and accessible mental health system and, importantly, that lived experience would have a key voice in that. Over the past five years, can I say, it has been a bitter disappointment. Access to mental health supports in Victoria has got worse.

Our suicide rate is at a tragically high level. We know that we simply do not have the workers to fulfil the demands that Victorians are facing at this time. I will acknowledge that there have been challenges over the last five years. We had the challenges of COVID, which turned mental health for many Victorians on its head. People were turning to alcohol to cope with that situation, and for some that is still a challenge that they are working through. The dissociation from the community and the inability to talk to others in the community about what they were going through has had a significant impact on Victorians’ mental health, and it has been a long road to recovery to regain that resilience and strength in their decisions and in their own actions and in their own mind and body.

We know, though, that we can do better. We are five years into a 10-year reform. The Liberals and Nationals are committed to getting Victoria’s mental health reforms back on track, and I am so proud today that we are able to support amendments that will see the commission being able to fulfil its role to be an appropriate oversight body and give it some teeth and make sure that we have reporting undertaken and made in a transparent way so that all Victorians can understand how far we have got to go before we make Victoria’s mental health system work in a way that supports all Victorians. It should not matter where you live. It should not matter if you are in the heart of Melbourne or in the outer reaches of regional Victoria. It should not matter whether you are a young person – a child who is battling an eating disorder or being bullied at school. If you have got a diagnosable mental illness, if you are going through the heartache of what we see in regional Victoria at the moment – whether it is about rising input costs like the cost of fuel that we are seeing, whether about it is about the incredible impact of the emergency services tax or energy infrastructure being rolled out across the state or whether we look at just changes of land use around mining or the urban sprawl taking over otherwise productive agricultural land – there are many, many pressures on people living in rural and regional Victoria, and unfortunately the access to mental health services is simply not available in the way that it should be.

I know that my office gets many, many inquiries from people who come to me, a member of Parliament, because it is their first thought of where they can go to access support. I am not sure whether I would ever think of going to a member of Parliament’s office to seek mental health support, but this is the level that we are at across the state. I know my colleague the member for Mildura has done the same thing, and she has been a strong advocate for better mental health services in the electorate of Mildura and also has been a strong support for people in her electorate who are looking for mental health supports, who may even need inpatient support and they are unable to access it. This is a huge step forward today in giving the commission some teeth so that they can deliver transparency and we can get mental health reforms back on track.

I would also like to note the amendments in relation to the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing. Within these amendments that have come through tonight there is a reaffirmation of the importance of people with lived experience having their voice, having their say within the mental health reforms and in oversight within the relevant bodies. The Victorian collaborative centre was designed to, and it was hoped it would, deliver the mental health training and learning that was required to get our workforce back on track, particularly with reflection upon the lived experience in making sure that we could build that workforce. My understanding is the collaborative centre has not quite delivered on these aspirations. However, it is very, very positive that we have been able to fight for the voice of people with lived experience to be represented as deputy commissioners, and part of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission and the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing.

I would like to thank the many people who have fought so hard for mental health reforms in this state – people with lived experience, the carers of consumers, the stakeholders and the peak bodies who have worked tirelessly to ensure that we improve Victoria’s mental health system and who believe that it is worth the fight to make things better. I would like to acknowledge also the Health and Community Services Union, who have been tireless advocates to achieve the amendments within this legislation, and the Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council, Tandem and Self Help Addiction Resource Centre, who have been amazing advocates for people with lived experience and carers of consumers. We are all thankful that we were able together to achieve the amendments that are before the house today.

I would also like to thank the support and trust of my colleagues within the Nationals and the Liberals. It is wonderful to have enormous support for improvements in mental health. We have got fierce advocates for mental health supports within the Nationals and within the Liberal Party, and to know that when you put forward amendments that there is no question that this is the right thing to do, you know that you have got people behind you and beside you that will support you. It gives me great comfort that when it comes to next November, if we are elected to government, we will continue to fight for improved mental health outcomes for every single Victorian in this state. I commend this amendment to the house.

Motion agreed to.

The ACTING SPEAKER (Nathan Lambert): A message will now be sent to the Legislative Council informing them of the house’s decision and requesting their agreement to the further amendments.

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