False

Referral

On 27 November 2014, the Mental Health Bill 2014 was introduced into the Legislative Assembly by the Hon Lawrence Springborg MP, Minister for Health. 

The Bill was referred to the Health and Community Services Committee in accordance with Standing Order 131. The committee is required to report to the Legislative Assembly by 23 February 2015.

Bill

The Explanatory Notes to the Bill state that the primary purpose of the Bill is “to improve and maintain the health and wellbeing of persons with a mental illness who do not have the capacity to consent to treatment or care”.

The Bill also enables people to be diverted from the criminal justice system if found to have been of unsound mind at the time of an alleged offence, or to be unfit for trial. The Bill also aims to protect the community if people diverted from the criminal justice system may be at risk of harming others.

Examination of the Bill

The committee will examine the policy to be given effect by the Bill and the application of fundamental legislative principles in section 4 of the Legislative Standards Act 1992.

The Bill, Explanatory Notes and the Minister’s Explanatory Speech are available at the links below:

• Mental Health Bill 2014 (large file warning: 2.6 MB)
• Explanatory Notes to the Bill
• Minister's Explanatory Speech

Call for Submissions

The Committee sought written submissions from all Queenslanders on the Bill.

The closing date for submissions was 5.00pm Monday 19 January 2015.

Briefing by Department of Health

The committee was briefed on the Bill by officials from the Department of Health on Thursday 11 December 2014.

• Transcript of the briefing
  • Tabled paper: Comparison of Key Provisions – Mental Health Bill 2014 and Mental Health Act 2000
  • Tabled paper: Approach to Making Treatment Authorities
  • Public Hearing Document (Correspondence) - 16 December 2014 (Dr Michael Cleary, Acting Director-General, Department of Health
  • Question - taken on notice and response #1, Department of Health
  • Question - taken on notice and response #2, Department of Health
    • Attachment to Question - taken on notice and response #2, Department of Health
  • Question - taken on notice and response #3, Department of Health
  • Question - taken on notice and response #4, Department of Health
  • Question - taken on notice and response #5, Department of Health
    • Amended response #5, received 24 December 2014, Department of Health