The final report and recommendations of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System will be tabled on Tuesday, 2 March, 2021 prior to an historic joint sitting of the Victorian Parliament.
The Parliament will hear directly from Chair, Penny Armytage AM, Professor Patrick McGorry AO and a member of the Victorian community with lived experience of mental illness.
This joint sitting will be held at the Royal Exhibition Building to ensure all members of parliament can attend adhering to CovidSafe rules. It will also enable those witnesses and participants in the commission to attend this significant event.
As the nation continues to deal with the ongoing effects of the coronavirus pandemic, this joint sitting ensures the report is given the dedicated attention it deserves.
Thousands of courageous Victorians have contributed to this once-in-a-generation report. It is only through the stories they’ve so generously shared that we can truly understand how to fix our broken mental health system.
That is what the Royal Commission’s report will deliver. And it’s up to us to listen.
The Andrews Labor Government will deliver on every single recommendation from the final report.
Work is already underway in response to the interim recommendations of the Royal Commission. We’ve begun the journey to rebuild our mental health system, and the final report will provide us with a comprehensive blueprint to complete it.
The Victorian Budget 2020/21 includes $868.6 million - the biggest mental health investment in the history of the state - to ensure Victorians have the support they need as we get on with fixing a broken system.
This includes $492 million for 120 mental health beds in Geelong, Epping, Sunshine and Melbourne, on top of the 24 Hospital in the Home beds announced earlier this year. Work has begun to deliver these beds. The interim report recommended the creation of 170 new beds state-wide, and the Labor Government will deliver 179.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“We’re facing a watershed moment in Victoria’s history. This report will change lives, and it’ll save lives.”
“The thousands of Victorians who have so bravely and so generously shared their personal stories deserve our full, undivided attention - and they deserve our help.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Mental Health James Merlino
“This is an historic opportunity for a special sitting of parliament which highlights just how important this moment is. We know that our mental health system is broken, and this report will deliver the blueprint for delivering the biggest social reform in a generation.”
Reviewed 17 February 2021