Mental Health (Inpatient) Amendment Bill

This speech is in relation to the Mental Health (Inpatient) Amendment Bill. The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK speaks on behalf of the Liberal Party and expresses that they do not support this amendment.

In committee.

(Continued from 31 May 2012.)

Clause 4.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: I commend the Hon. Tammy Franks for this amendment in that I think she identifies what is a problem within the Mental Health Act, and I have considerable sympathy for what she is proposing. I agree that this act is very difficult to interpret for users and consumers. However, the problem the government has highlighted in its written response to a number of us is that it may actually cloud the act. Given the time we have to consider this, and also given that the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists has said that it does not support it, and the fact that the Liberal Party has not received any formal submission from any other organisations, I encourage them to participate in the process and certainly we look forward to a review of the act in future.

Amendment negatived; clause passed.

New clauses 4A, 4B and 4C.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: The Liberal Party agrees with the government on this amendment.

New clauses negatived.

Clause 5 passed.

Clause 6.

The Hon. A. BRESSINGTON: I move:

Page 4, line 15 [clause 6(1), inserted paragraph (c)(iii)]—After 'or' insert:

, if consent cannot be given by the parent or guardian,

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: The Liberal Party does not support this amendment. We understand the intent but also that the issue relates to ambiguity regarding psychiatrists rather than to parental consent.