Mental health changes to enshrine rights of victims

The rights of victims of violent offenders will be enshrined in changes to Queensland’s mental health laws being introduced in Parliament today by Health Minister Stephen Robertson.

Community safety and the needs of victims will be taken into account in decisions relating to persons subject to forensic mental health orders, Mr Robertson said.

Victims and their families will also be entitled to have their say in the Mental Health Court and Mental Health Review Tribunal prior to decisions relating to:

·whether or not a person is of unsound mind or is unfit for trial;

·whether or not to make or revoke a forensic order;

·whether to order, approve or revoke limited community treatment for a person under forensic order;

·any conditions the Court or Tribunal may impose on an order for limited community treatment.

“These are important changes to the Mental Health Act 2000 that will give greater recognition to the rights of victims of crime committed by persons with a mental illness.

“It will result in a system that is more compassionate, and gives greater support, to victims and their families.

“And it will strike a better balance between the rights of patients receiving mental health care and the rights of victims of their crimes,” he said.

Mr Robertson said the legislative amendments he was introducing address specific recommendations of the independent Review of the Mental Health Act undertaken by former CMC Chair Brendan Butler.

“The Premier and I gave a commitment in December that one of the first bills we would introduce in 2007 would be to amend the Mental Health Act 2000 to create a clearer focus on victims.

“I am delivering on that commitment today, “he said.

Media: Paul Lynch 3234 1190