Page 969 - Week 03 - Thursday, 10 March 2016
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MADAM SPEAKER: I warn you, Mrs Jones.
MR CORBELL: I think it would be beneficial for her to bring the details of that matter to my attention so that they can be investigated—
Mrs Jones interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Mrs Jones, you are on a warning.
MR CORBELL: Rather than making some rhetorical flourish here in the chamber.
Mrs Jones interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Mrs Jones! You are very close to being named. Supplementary question, Mr Hinder.
Members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: I name you, Mrs Jones, and I move:
That the member be relieved of her duties to the Assembly.
Motion agreed to.
Mrs Jones was therefore suspended at 3.19pm for three sitting hours in accordance with standing order 204, and she accordingly withdrew from the chamber.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Hinder.
MR HINDER: Can the Minister for Health explain to the Assembly how consumers will benefit by the introduction of a new Mental Health Act?
MR CORBELL: The new act will promote recovery. It will ensure that care is in the least restrictive setting. This is particularly important because we know that there can be a tendency in mental health systems for patients to be placed in a restrictive care setting. I am pleased to say that here in the ACT we have the lowest level of seclusion being applied of any state or territory in the country. Seclusion is considered to be the last resort and is used minimally in the ACT compared to a much higher rate in other jurisdictions.
There are a number of other important changes that empower mental health consumers to decide their own treatment as far as they are able. In the new act consumers are assumed, as I said, to have capacity to make decisions unless a formal assessment has been undertaken that they cannot do so. There is also the capacity, as I was saying earlier, to make decisions to advance agreements and advance consent directions. Finally, we now have important arrangements where mental health carers and their families are able to also be consulted and have their concerns formally documented as part of a mental treatment plan. These are very important improvements, not just for consumers but for carers and families.
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