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Legislative Council Select Committee on Mental Health

This committee is inactive. Contact and Member information appearing on this page is historical only.

The Select Committee on Mental Health is a completed select committee of the Legislative Council, established 11 Dec 2001, and ended 6 Dec 2002.

The Select Committee on Mental Health was established in December 2001 to inquire into mental health service provision in New South Wales.

Inquiries

No inquiries have been referred to the committee.

Reports and Government Responses

• 06/12/2002   Inquiry into mental health services in New South Wales, Final Report
• 03/09/2002   Inquiry into mental health services in New South Wales, Interim Report

Members

• Chair: The Hon Dr Brian Pezzutti MLC.
• Mr Peter BREEN (Human Rights Party, LC Member)
• Dr Arthur CHESTERFIELD-EVANS (Dem, LC Member)
• The Hon. Amanda FAZIO (ALP, LC Member)
• The Hon. John HATZISTERGOS (ALP, LC Member)
• The Hon. John JOBLING (, LC Member)
• The Hon. Dr Brian PEZZUTTI (, LC Member)

Contact

Role	Name	Phone	Fax	Email
Main Contact	Bayne McKissock	(02) 9230 2641	(02) 9230 2981	scmh@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Committee Director	Robert Stefanic	(02) 9230 2641		scmh@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Principal Council Officer	Bayne McKissock	(02) 9230 2641		scmh@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Council Officer	Cathy Nunn	(02) 9230 2641		scmh@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Postal Address

Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney

Terms of Reference Establishing Committee

House resolved 11 December 2001, 2nd Session, Minutes No. 139, Item 19. For debate on the motion to establish the Inquiry see: http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/lc/lchansart52.nsf/0/c56517cd781bb2adca256b3a00186104

13 March 2002, 3rd Session, Minutes No. 3, Item 5

1. That the select committee known as the Select Committee on Mental Health, appointed by resolution of the Legislative Council on 11 December 2001, be reappointed, with the same functions and powers.
2. That the minutes of proceedings, evidence, all papers, documents, reports and records of the Select Committee on Mental Health appointed on 11 December 2001, be referred to the Committee.

11 December 2001, 2nd Session, Minutes No. 139, Item 19.

1. That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into and report on mental health services in New South Wales and in particular:
   1. the changes which have taken place since the adoption of the Richmond Report,
   2. the impact of changes in psychiatric hospitalisation and/or asylum,
   3. levels and methods of funding of mental health services in NSW, including comparisons with other jurisdictions,
   4. community participation in, and integration of, mental health services,
   5. quality control of mental health services,
   6. staffing levels in NSW mental health services, including comparisons with other jurisdictions,
   7. the availability and mix of mental health services in NSW,
   8. data collection and outcome measures.
2. That the Committee table an interim report by 3 September 2002.
3. That, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Standing Orders, the Committee consist of the following members:
   1. 2 Government members nominated in writing to the Clerk of the House by the Leader of the Government,
   2. Dr Pezzutti and Mr Moppett
   3. Dr Chesterfield Evans and Mr Breen.
4. That the Committee have leave to sit during any adjournment of the House to adjourn from place to place, to make visits of inspection within New South Wales, and other States and Territories of Australia with the approval of the President, and have power to take evidence and to send for persons, papers, records and things, and to report from time to time.
5. That should the House stand adjourned and the Committee agree to any report before the House resumes sitting:
   1. the Committee have leave to send any such report, minutes of proceedings and evidence taken before it to the Clerk of the House,
   2. the document be printed and published and the Clerk forthwith take such action as is necessary to give effect to the order of the House,
   3. the document be laid on the Table of the House as its next sitting.
6. That on receipt of a request from the Committee for funding, the Government immediately provide the Legislative Council with such additional funds that the Committee considers necessary for the conduct of its inquiry.

Further Reading

The Government Response to the Inquiry into Mental Health Services in New South Wales was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday 4 December 2003 and in the Legislative Council on Friday 5 December 2003.

NSW Health has released a discussion paper on carers and information sharing as part of its review of the Mental Health Act 1990. NSW Health has invited comment on the issues raised. The discussion paper may be viewed at the NSW Health website: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/csd/llsb/pub/mentalhealthip1.pdf