Question Time

Mental Health Plan

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:23): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Health a question about the mental health plan. I would like to ask it in silence, just for once, please.

Leave granted.

The PRESIDENT: I want to hear this question in silence.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Earlier this week, the minister acknowledged the important work undertaken by South Australia's Mental Health Commissioner, Mr Chris Burns, in developing a new mental health plan for South Australia. My question is: can the minister assure the council that the mental health plan, as prepared by Commissioner Burns, will be released in full, along with the government's response, and that neither he or his office, or SA Health, has or will doctor the document ahead of its public release?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse) (14:23): Thank you to the honourable member for his important question. The mental health plan that the Hon. Mr Ridgway has asked about is an important strategic exercise for the state and is an important piece of work that has been undertaken over a substantial period of time. I think, either yesterday or certainly Tuesday, in a response to a similar question, I outlined the very substantial consultative piece that has been undertaken by Commissioner Burns in talking to people throughout the community, both in regional South Australia and metropolitan South Australia, with young people and older people. This is a significant exercise for a very important and worthwhile cause. It is important that we get that right. We hope to be able to release the mental health plan shortly so that we can get on with the job of starting to implement it.