Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 03 Hansard (Thursday, 11 March 2004) . . Page.. 1087 ..

of the seventh insurance summit underscore the benefits of the hard work that the ACT government has done in relation to these summits.

The ACT proposed that more direct, relevant action be taken nationally with respect to the long-term care of catastrophically injured people. This has been taken up and is proceeding as expected.

The ACT expressed concern that the benefits of proposed tort law reform could not be guaranteed for consumers because the ACCC lacks sufficient enforcement authority. The Commonwealth and the ACCC have recognised the possibility of enhancing the ACCC’s powers if it becomes clear that cost savings are not being passed on to consumers. Mr Speaker, the government will continue to keep members informed of developments as they occur.

Papers

Mr Wood presented the following papers:

Subordinate Legislation (including explanatory statements unless otherwise stated)

Legislation Act, pursuant to section 64—

Civil Law (Wrongs) Act—Civil Law (Wrongs) Amendment Regulations 2004 (No 1)—Subordinate Law SL2004-8 (LR, 2 March 2004).

Public Sector Management Act—Public Sector Management Amendment Standard 2004 (No 1)—Disallowable Instrument DI2004-27 (LR, 4 March 2004).

Supreme Court Act—Supreme Court Amendment Rules 2004 (No 1)—Subordinate Law SL2004-7 (LR, 25 February 2004).

Mental health

Discussion of matter of public importance

MR SPEAKER: I have received a letter from Mr Smyth proposing that a matter of public importance be submitted to the Assembly, namely:

The state of the mental health system in the ACT.

MR SMYTH (Leader of the Opposition) (3.39): Mr Speaker, I propose this matter of public importance today as it cannot have escaped anyone’s attention that there has been a lot of media attention lately on mental health in the ACT.

Let me read some of the headlines that have been in the Canberra Times over the last few months: from 27 February, “Mental health plea for action”; 19 February, “Don’t mix mad with bad: criminologist”; 18 February, “Blast for system that jails the sick”; 18 February, “Furore on mentally ill grows, Dire need for secure facility”; 17 February, “Mental health patient outcry, Courts being blackmailed”; 31 January, “Mentally ill exploited, Abused in custody”; 28 January, “Nowhere for them to go, says Magistrate”; 12 January, “Parents plead for family”—the family of a schizophrenic woman who has

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .