The new Mental Health Commission does not even exist but is already suffering from an identity crisis.
In questioning at Senate Estimates yesterday from Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Shadow Minister for Ageing and Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Mr Ben Rimmer, Deputy Secretary Strategic Policy and Implementation with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, said there was $23 million for the Commission.
“However, the Treasury document Budget 2011-12 Delivering better hospitals, mental health and health services released on Budget night, shows only $9.7 million over the forward estimates,” Senator Fierravanti-Wells said. “They cannot even get their figures right.
“The Commission is to have 13 staff but an unknown number of Commissioners.
“It will manage and administer the national report card on mental health and suicide prevention.
“It will collate and analyse data, provide advice to government, produce an annual report, produce a national mental health services directory and be involved in mental health promotion and stigma reduction activities.
“We were told by Senator Chris Evans, representing the Prime Minister, that the Commission will be an executive agency. He was unable to think of a comparable agency. I am unable to think of one either.
“For 10 years mental health experts have been calling for an independent national mental health commission with teeth. This may be a commission by name but it is a far cry from what the experts have been calling for. It appears to be another talkfest producing masses of paper without offering more efficient or better treatment to one single patient.”