Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Mental Health Commission Given New Lease of Life


The life of the Mental Health Commission will be extended to ensure the mental
health strategy is put in place, Health Minister Annette King announced today.

Originally established as a Ministerial advisory committee in 1996, the group was expected to have finished its work when the Mental Health Commission Act of 1998 expires at the end of August, 2001, in line with the expected date for implementation of the Mason Inquiry recommendations.

However the Commission is to be extended to ensure full implementation of the
New Zealand Mental Health Strategy planned for 2004 - 10 years from its initiation in 1994.

Mrs King said she was delighted that her Government was responding to the challenge of putting health back into the mental health sector.

"The first demonstration of this commitment is our decision to extend the life of the Mental Health Commission," she said.

"The Mental Health Commission has played a valuable role in the mental health area. It keeps the key players honest through its monitoring role, has provided strong advocacy and guidance on the type and volume of services needed to implement the national mental health strategy and, with other agencies, has played key roles in addressing the discrimination faced by people with mental illness.

"A significant start has been made to the substantial job needed to provide more and better mental health services," Mrs King said.

However, Mrs King said she was aware of concern of those working in mental health that progress may stall with the last instalment of Mason funding due later this year.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

"Late last year, I asked the Mental Health Commission for advice on the funding required to fully implement its Blueprint. When the Commission's advice has been analysed I expect to be making a bid for additional funding through the Budget process.


"The new lease on the Commission's life is not open ended. The actual date when the Commission will close its doors has yet to be decided, but this decision will allow the Commission to continue its invaluable work."

ENDS


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.