Consultation on the Exposure Draft Mental Health Bill

We wish to thank all the members of the community who have provided feedback on the Exposure Draft Mental Health Bill and contributed to the reform of Victoria’s mental health legislation.

Further information on the review of the Mental Health Act 1986 can be obtained from:

Review of the Mental Health Act
Department of Health
50 Lonsdale Street
GPO Box 4541, DX 210311
MELBOURNE VIC 3001

Background to the review of the Mental Health Act 1986

The review of the Victorian Mental Health Act 1986 (the Act) commenced on 8 May 2008.

The aims and objectives of the review are to

• establish a contemporary legal framework for compulsory mental health treatment and care by repealing the Mental Health Act 1986 (MHA) and replacing it with a new Act
• deliver a more patient centred, rights-oriented, least restrictive and recovery-focused approach to treatment and care for people with serious mental illness
• provide greater opportunity and support for patients to participate, as far as they are able, in their treatment and care
• reduce the duration and minimise use of compulsory treatment
• achieve patient participation and compatibility with the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (the Charter)

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