Legislation tabled in parliament also clarifies the commission\u2019s monitoring and reporting functions.<\/p>\n
Its ability to oversee the quality and safety of the system will be limited to responding to complaints. The commission will also lose its responsibility to oversee outcomes for the community, to instead focus on system outcomes.<\/p>\n
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The minister will now set the commission\u2019s objectives each year, and it will only be able to access data from health services, though the government rejects any of the proposed changes will limit its oversight powers.<\/p>\n
The commission\u2019s most recent annual report, published on Tuesday, tracked progress the government had made but was largely reliant on publicly available data. The Department of Health \u201cvery recently\u201d provided additional information, the report said, which the commission said it included \u201cdespite having insufficient time to consider the information fully\u201d.<\/p>\n
Pru Howell-Jay, chair of the Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC), said the government\u2019s proposed changes would clearly limit the commission\u2019s capacity to oversee progress.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis decision reverses the royal commission recommendation. It takes us back to pre-royal commission, which is really disappointing,\u201d Howell-Jay told The Age.<\/p>\n
Howell-Jay submitted her own mental health story to the royal commission.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt took a lot of courage,\u201d she said. \u201cIt came with a lot of hope for change, for a better system.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were promised that all the recommendations would be implemented \u2026 So many people put their heart on the line, reliving their trauma for change. And now we\u2019re feeling like, what was it for?\u201d<\/p>\n
Vrinda Edan, chief executive of VMIAC, said there had been \u201cno collaboration, no consultation, no partnering with us and no seeking our view\u201d on the overhaul.<\/p>\n
She said the council understood the government\u2019s budget constraints but that there were better ways of finding savings.<\/p>\n
VMIAC was questioning whether the government had an ongoing commitment to implementing the royal commission, Edan said. \u201cWe haven\u2019t formed a full view yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tandem Carers acting chief executive Jane Dunne said the advocacy group for carers and support people was deeply concerned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are seeking urgent clarity on how a strong carer perspective will remain embedded in Victoria\u2019s mental health reforms, and whether these changes reflect a shift away from a government commitment to the royal commission\u2019s vision to centre lived experience in system transformation.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Mental Health Victoria chief executive Phillipa Thomas said it was still unclear whether funding to implement the recommendations was having the intended impact and whether progress against the royal commission was being adequately tracked.<\/p>\n
A Victorian government spokesman said the state was leading the nation in mental health reform.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not wasting a minute building a system that works for every Victorian, no matter where they live,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe proposed changes are about strengthening leadership and accountability in the mental health system.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe commission will remain a critical part of our oversight framework, and these changes will focus the commission on the areas where it can have the greatest impact \u2013 safeguarding rights, resolving complaints and helping improve the mental health system.\u201d<\/p>\n