Published Thursday, 24 May, 2007 at 06:28 PM
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
Rights of victims enshrined in mental health law changes
Victims of violent offenders now have their rights enshrined in amendments to Queensland’s mental health laws passed by State Parliament today.
Health Minister Stephen Robertson said the changes mean community safety and the needs of victims will be taken into account in decisions relating to persons subject to forensic mental health orders.
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.
The amendments also allow for one or more additional Supreme Court judges to be appointed to the Mental Health Court to address the rising workload of the court.
“These are important changes to the Mental Health Act 2000 that give greater recognition to the rights of victims of crime committed by persons with a mental illness,” Mr Robertson said.
“It gives a stronger voice to victims and their families within the forensic mental health system.
“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 passed today address specific recommendations of the independent Review of the Mental Health Act undertaken by former CMC Chair, Mr 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’ rights.
“We have delivered on that commitment today," he said.
24 May, 2007
Media: Paul Lynch 3234 1190
Health Minister Stephen Robertson said the changes mean community safety and the needs of victims will be taken into account in decisions relating to persons subject to forensic mental health orders.
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.
The amendments also allow for one or more additional Supreme Court judges to be appointed to the Mental Health Court to address the rising workload of the court.
“These are important changes to the Mental Health Act 2000 that give greater recognition to the rights of victims of crime committed by persons with a mental illness,” Mr Robertson said.
“It gives a stronger voice to victims and their families within the forensic mental health system.
“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 passed today address specific recommendations of the independent Review of the Mental Health Act undertaken by former CMC Chair, Mr 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’ rights.
“We have delivered on that commitment today," he said.
24 May, 2007
Media: Paul Lynch 3234 1190