Page 2822 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 21 October 1992
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We have seen a number of initiatives in the recent budget, to which Mr Berry has referred, and we welcome those initiatives. There are, of course, areas where we in the Opposition have some concern. We would like to see those addressed, no doubt in due course, by the Government. It is welcome, for example, to see the $177,000 which has been allocated for the establishment of a Mental Health Tribunal. That is a very important initiative which we should see in place as soon as possible. I have to say that I have a few doubts about whether that $177,000 is sufficient to establish the full mechanisms of that tribunal. Members will recall the debate in this Assembly about the money that was put aside in the first Follett Government's budget for the 24-hour crisis service, which ended up being about half of what was ultimately to be spent and is being spent today by the Follett Government on maintaining that mental health service. So, Madam Speaker, there is a real question about that, and I hope that in due course we will hear some explanation from the Government as to what is going on and how it is going to be funded.
The first recommendation of Balancing Rights I think I need to quote. It said:
General and administrative objectives, providing for appropriate care, treatment, rehabilitation and protection in the least restrictive environment for people who are mentally dysfunctional, be drafted for inclusion in the ACT mental health legislation.
I think, Madam Speaker, that that remains the first priority of Balancing Rights, and it should be the first priority of any government which is concerned about this matter. I am going to sit down now and let the Attorney-General say something about what is going to happen. I do hope, Madam Speaker, that he can give us some direct and clear information about when the Government is going to be able to present this legislation, which ought to have been on the table before now. Perhaps he even could say that our Government should have produced it. Whatever the case, it is not good enough for us to bicker across this chamber about who is responsible and who is not responsible.
Mr Berry: Well, who started it?
MR HUMPHRIES: No, Madam Speaker. The Minister is obsessed with confrontation; "You are right" and "We are right"; you know, pointing the finger.
Mr Berry: No, we are right.
MR HUMPHRIES: Well, the Minister can say that. The fact is that the people in this Territory who need legislation like that have been waiting for a long time. You are in government. It is up to you to produce the legislation, and it is about time it happened.
MR CONNOLLY (Attorney-General, Minister for Housing and Community Services and Minister for Urban Services) (12.21): Mr Humphries took great exception to Mr Berry's remark that there was a bit of politics being played here. What the Government's concern is here is that the Liberal Party has taken our announcements in the budget context, our announcements for a Mental Health Tribunal, our announcements that we are progressing the law in this area, and has whacked in a resolution saying, "You have to do it within two months". The press release, I can see, is on the way, headed "Liberals force Government move on mental health", when we do bring down our Mental Health Tribunal exposure draft.
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