Ministerial Statement

Mental Health Commission

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:03): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Over the past few months, this government has made transforming our mental health system a priority. Reducing the length of stay for mental health patients in our emergency departments is a personal priority of mine, and I am pleased to report that progress is being made towards our targets. There is, however, still a long way to go, and I expect everyone in our local health networks to continue their hard work towards meeting their agreed targets.

The state government is also creating more direct admission pathways into our hospitals, has created clinician-led mental health units in our local health networks, and we are continuing to invest in mental health infrastructure. We have created a short-stay unit at the Flinders Medical Centre, announced the establishment of a new Centre for Excellence for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder for veterans' mental health and are continuing to establish suicide prevention networks around the state.

There is, however, much more work to be done and I am pleased to announce that today marks the first day of the South Australian Mental Health Commission. We have spent significant time investigating commissions around the country and can report to the house that the South Australian commission will be established as an independent administrative unit, independent from SA Health and advising me directly as minister responsible.

Our commission has been established in a similar way to the Liberal government's commission in Western Australia and will lead the development of the next state mental health plan, undertake policy development to improve mental health service delivery and, most importantly, will work closely with the mental health sector and community.

I am also pleased to tell the house today that Dr Stephen Christley, SA's former chief public health officer, has kindly agreed to be South Australia's Interim Mental Health Commissioner so that the commission can begin its work without delay. Dr Christley has worked previously in the community health sector and spent 12 years as a CEO in the New South Wales health system. He has a wealth of knowledge in the public health sector and has worked closely with the government and non-government sector in this state to contribute to the health and wellbeing of South Australians.

Longer term, we will be advertising and undertaking an extensive search for an ongoing commissioner and we will be looking around the country for the best and brightest to help lead the commission over the next few years. I encourage anyone who has an interest in leading such an important area in our state to apply.

Mental health problems and mental illness are among the greatest causes of disability, diminished quality of life and reduced productivity in our society. The Mental Health Commission helps to fulfil the $9 million state government election pledge to improve the mental health of South Australians, and I am sure Dr Christley will do an excellent job as interim commissioner.