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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 10 Hansard (26 November) . . Page.. 3086 ..

MR MOORE: I am pleased to table this report on mental health service provision in the Australian Capital Territory for the period 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998. This is the second report of this kind, the first being distributed in September 1997. The Government's Moving Ahead statement committed us to the production of a report on mental health service provision in the ACT on an annual basis. As it is not an agency-based report, this report is not classified as an annual report, and thus is not subject to section 14 of the Annual Reports (Government Agencies) Act 1995. This report builds on the report produced in 1996-97 and includes further information about other government departments and non-government agencies. You will particularly note the inclusion of the mental health service provider network, convened by ACTCOSS, in the major achievements section.

The report is a method of ensuring government accountability. The community has an opportunity to gain important information about the activities of government departments, and the allocation of government funding. The "Looking Forward" section of the report gives a clear indication of the future direction of services. I believe that this is an important mechanism for guaranteeing the transparency of government process.

In future years, the report will be based on the whole-of-Territory strategic plan for mental health, and will report against the performance indicators soon to be developed for the plan. This will make the implementation of the new plan a process open to public scrutiny and comment. I commend this report to members as an important way of keeping abreast of the developments in mental health in the ACT.

MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, pursuant to standing order 46, I seek to make a short statement.

MR SPEAKER: Please proceed.

MR BERRY: During question time Mr Moore referred to a couple of issues which I think need explanation. He talked about the very bad days in health. Mr Speaker, the record - - -

Mr Moore: Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Mr Berry sought to make a personal explanation. He cannot debate issues.

MR SPEAKER: Order! Mr Berry, you cannot debate the issues.

MR BERRY: It is not a matter of debating. Mr Moore also talked about the psych unit. In my day in Health, Mr Speaker, there was a Mental Health (Treatment and Care) Act, in collaboration with my colleague Mr Connolly; the accreditation of what is now the Canberra Hospital; the clinical medical school; the boxing legislation, which came under sport but was health related, as I recall it; the health complaints legislation; and smoke-free public places legislation. I also broke the infamous deed of agreement.

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