❓ Question regarding funding for supported accommodation units for people with mental illness. The Minister acknowledges the need and outlines plans for a commissioner and addresses impediments to development, but doesn't directly answer if funding was requested.
AnsweredQoN 97Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MENTAL HEALTH — SUPPORTED ACCOMMODATION UNITS
I refer the minister to the Council of Official Visitors annual report and media coverage that identified more community supported accommodation as a pressing need for people with mental illness. Has the minister requested that the Treasurer provide the $100 million identified by the mental health division of the Department of Health as necessary to acquire 250 units of supported accommodation and thereby assist the families of the mentally ill at a time when the housing market would benefit from this stimulus; and, if not, why not? Dr G.G. JACOBS
I refer the minister to the Council of Official Visitors annual report and media coverage that identified more community supported accommodation as a pressing need for people with mental illness. Has the minister requested that the Treasurer provide the $100 million identified by the mental health division of the Department of Health as necessary to acquire 250 units of supported accommodation and thereby assist the families of the mentally ill at a time when the housing market would benefit from this stimulus; and, if not, why not? Dr G.G. JACOBS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the question. This government is committed to do better for mental health care in the state of Western Australia. That is why we have committed to a ministry of mental health and, having made a commitment, we are presently studying the appointment of a commissioner for mental health, who will have a very strong community advocacy role. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition has spoken of the Council of Official Visitors, which is an organisation that also has a very strong community advocacy role. We intend to act through a commissioner, much the same as the Commissioner for Children and Young People, supported by legislation and with line management through an operations deputy director general mental health. The community advocacy role that is fulfilled by the Council of Official Visitors report, to which the Deputy Leader of the Opposition alludes, is just what we are talking about with the structures that we want to adopt moving forward. Part of the report refers to supported accommodation. I will give credit where credit is due. There has been some commitment with the development of 257 supported accommodation units in the community, although the requirement is for over 350 units. We will move towards that number of supported accommodation units. However, there are some impediments, and the member for Kwinana knows what they are. When we talk about supported accommodation in Kalamunda, Peel and Rockingham, some issues arise with the lease of the land involved and the high cost of the development of that land. There are also some issues about looking for alternative sites. As the Minister for Mental Health, I will make a commitment to work through those impediments. The whole thrust of this government is to make a commitment—in fact, the Premier committed to appoint a ministry of mental health—because we believe that this is an important part of health in Western Australia. I will work through those supported accommodation issues to which the member alludes. I will work in conjunction with the commissioner, because we are involved in the parallel process of not only developing legislation but also listening to the community and the Council of Official Visitors. They have input into the policy of the commissioner, who will listen to the needs of people in the community with mental health issues.
Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the question. This government is committed to do better for mental health care in the state of Western Australia. That is why we have committed to a ministry of mental health and, having made a commitment, we are presently studying the appointment of a commissioner for mental health, who will have a very strong community advocacy role. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition has spoken of the Council of Official Visitors, which is an organisation that also has a very strong community advocacy role. We intend to act through a commissioner, much the same as the Commissioner for Children and Young People, supported by legislation and with line management through an operations deputy director general mental health. The community advocacy role that is fulfilled by the Council of Official Visitors report, to which the Deputy Leader of the Opposition alludes, is just what we are talking about with the structures that we want to adopt moving forward. Part of the report refers to supported accommodation. I will give credit where credit is due. There has been some commitment with the development of 257 supported accommodation units in the community, although the requirement is for over 350 units. We will move towards that number of supported accommodation units. However, there are some impediments, and the member for Kwinana knows what they are. When we talk about supported accommodation in Kalamunda, Peel and Rockingham, some issues arise with the lease of the land involved and the high cost of the development of that land. There are also some issues about looking for alternative sites. As the Minister for Mental Health, I will make a commitment to work through those impediments. The whole thrust of this government is to make a commitment—in fact, the Premier committed to appoint a ministry of mental health—because we believe that this is an important part of health in Western Australia. I will work through those supported accommodation issues to which the member alludes. I will work in conjunction with the commissioner, because we are involved in the parallel process of not only developing legislation but also listening to the community and the Council of Official Visitors. They have input into the policy of the commissioner, who will listen to the needs of people in the community with mental health issues.
I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the question. This government is committed to do better for mental health care in the state of Western Australia. That is why we have committed to a ministry of mental health and, having made a commitment, we are presently studying the appointment of a commissioner for mental health, who will have a very strong community advocacy role. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition has spoken of the Council of Official Visitors, which is an organisation that also has a very strong community advocacy role. We intend to act through a commissioner, much the same as the Commissioner for Children and Young People, supported by legislation and with line management through an operations deputy director general mental health. The community advocacy role that is fulfilled by the Council of Official Visitors report, to which the Deputy Leader of the Opposition alludes, is just what we are talking about with the structures that we want to adopt moving forward. Part of the report refers to supported accommodation. I will give credit where credit is due. There has been some commitment with the development of 257 supported accommodation units in the community, although the requirement is for over 350 units. We will move towards that number of supported accommodation units. However, there are some impediments, and the member for Kwinana knows what they are. When we talk about supported accommodation in Kalamunda, Peel and Rockingham, some issues arise with the lease of the land involved and the high cost of the development of that land. There are also some issues about looking for alternative sites. As the Minister for Mental Health, I will make a commitment to work through those impediments. The whole thrust of this government is to make a commitment—in fact, the Premier committed to appoint a ministry of mental health—because we believe that this is an important part of health in Western Australia. I will work through those supported accommodation issues to which the member alludes. I will work in conjunction with the commissioner, because we are involved in the parallel process of not only developing legislation but also listening to the community and the Council of Official Visitors. They have input into the policy of the commissioner, who will listen to the needs of people in the community with mental health issues.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition has spoken of the Council of Official Visitors, which is an organisation that also has a very strong community advocacy role. We intend to act through a commissioner, much the same as the Commissioner for Children and Young People, supported by legislation and with line management through an operations deputy director general mental health. The community advocacy role that is fulfilled by the Council of Official Visitors report, to which the Deputy Leader of the Opposition alludes, is just what we are talking about with the structures that we want to adopt moving forward. Part of the report refers to supported accommodation. I will give credit where credit is due. There has been some commitment with the development of 257 supported accommodation units in the community, although the requirement is for over 350 units. We will move towards that number of supported accommodation units. However, there are some impediments, and the member for Kwinana knows what they are. When we talk about supported accommodation in Kalamunda, Peel and Rockingham, some issues arise with the lease of the land involved and the high cost of the development of that land. There are also some issues about looking for alternative sites. As the Minister for Mental Health, I will make a commitment to work through those impediments. The whole thrust of this government is to make a commitment—in fact, the Premier committed to appoint a ministry of mental health—because we believe that this is an important part of health in Western Australia. I will work through those supported accommodation issues to which the member alludes. I will work in conjunction with the commissioner, because we are involved in the parallel process of not only developing legislation but also listening to the community and the Council of Official Visitors. They have input into the policy of the commissioner, who will listen to the needs of people in the community with mental health issues.
The SPEAKER : Order! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition has spoken of the Council of Official Visitors, which is an organisation that also has a very strong community advocacy role. We intend to act through a commissioner, much the same as the Commissioner for Children and Young People, supported by legislation and with line management through an operations deputy director general mental health. The community advocacy role that is fulfilled by the Council of Official Visitors report, to which the Deputy Leader of the Opposition alludes, is just what we are talking about with the structures that we want to adopt moving forward. Part of the report refers to supported accommodation. I will give credit where credit is due. There has been some commitment with the development of 257 supported accommodation units in the community, although the requirement is for over 350 units. We will move towards that number of supported accommodation units. However, there are some impediments, and the member for Kwinana knows what they are. When we talk about supported accommodation in Kalamunda, Peel and Rockingham, some issues arise with the lease of the land involved and the high cost of the development of that land. There are also some issues about looking for alternative sites. As the Minister for Mental Health, I will make a commitment to work through those impediments. The whole thrust of this government is to make a commitment—in fact, the Premier committed to appoint a ministry of mental health—because we believe that this is an important part of health in Western Australia. I will work through those supported accommodation issues to which the member alludes. I will work in conjunction with the commissioner, because we are involved in the parallel process of not only developing legislation but also listening to the community and the Council of Official Visitors. They have input into the policy of the commissioner, who will listen to the needs of people in the community with mental health issues.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition has spoken of the Council of Official Visitors, which is an organisation that also has a very strong community advocacy role. We intend to act through a commissioner, much the same as the Commissioner for Children and Young People, supported by legislation and with line management through an operations deputy director general mental health. The community advocacy role that is fulfilled by the Council of Official Visitors report, to which the Deputy Leader of the Opposition alludes, is just what we are talking about with the structures that we want to adopt moving forward. Part of the report refers to supported accommodation. I will give credit where credit is due. There has been some commitment with the development of 257 supported accommodation units in the community, although the requirement is for over 350 units. We will move towards that number of supported accommodation units. However, there are some impediments, and the member for Kwinana knows what they are. When we talk about supported accommodation in Kalamunda, Peel and Rockingham, some issues arise with the lease of the land involved and the high cost of the development of that land. There are also some issues about looking for alternative sites. As the Minister for Mental Health, I will make a commitment to work through those impediments. The whole thrust of this government is to make a commitment—in fact, the Premier committed to appoint a ministry of mental health—because we believe that this is an important part of health in Western Australia. I will work through those supported accommodation issues to which the member alludes. I will work in conjunction with the commissioner, because we are involved in the parallel process of not only developing legislation but also listening to the community and the Council of Official Visitors. They have input into the policy of the commissioner, who will listen to the needs of people in the community with mental health issues.
Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the question. This government is committed to do better for mental health care in the state of Western Australia. That is why we have committed to a ministry of mental health and, having made a commitment, we are presently studying the appointment of a commissioner for mental health, who will have a very strong community advocacy role. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition has spoken of the Council of Official Visitors, which is an organisation that also has a very strong community advocacy role. We intend to act through a commissioner, much the same as the Commissioner for Children and Young People, supported by legislation and with line management through an operations deputy director general mental health. The community advocacy role that is fulfilled by the Council of Official Visitors report, to which the Deputy Leader of the Opposition alludes, is just what we are talking about with the structures that we want to adopt moving forward. Part of the report refers to supported accommodation. I will give credit where credit is due. There has been some commitment with the development of 257 supported accommodation units in the community, although the requirement is for over 350 units. We will move towards that number of supported accommodation units. However, there are some impediments, and the member for Kwinana knows what they are. When we talk about supported accommodation in Kalamunda, Peel and Rockingham, some issues arise with the lease of the land involved and the high cost of the development of that land. There are also some issues about looking for alternative sites. As the Minister for Mental Health, I will make a commitment to work through those impediments. The whole thrust of this government is to make a commitment—in fact, the Premier committed to appoint a ministry of mental health—because we believe that this is an important part of health in Western Australia. I will work through those supported accommodation issues to which the member alludes. I will work in conjunction with the commissioner, because we are involved in the parallel process of not only developing legislation but also listening to the community and the Council of Official Visitors. They have input into the policy of the commissioner, who will listen to the needs of people in the community with mental health issues.
I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the question. This government is committed to do better for mental health care in the state of Western Australia. That is why we have committed to a ministry of mental health and, having made a commitment, we are presently studying the appointment of a commissioner for mental health, who will have a very strong community advocacy role. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition has spoken of the Council of Official Visitors, which is an organisation that also has a very strong community advocacy role. We intend to act through a commissioner, much the same as the Commissioner for Children and Young People, supported by legislation and with line management through an operations deputy director general mental health. The community advocacy role that is fulfilled by the Council of Official Visitors report, to which the Deputy Leader of the Opposition alludes, is just what we are talking about with the structures that we want to adopt moving forward. Part of the report refers to supported accommodation. I will give credit where credit is due. There has been some commitment with the development of 257 supported accommodation units in the community, although the requirement is for over 350 units. We will move towards that number of supported accommodation units. However, there are some impediments, and the member for Kwinana knows what they are. When we talk about supported accommodation in Kalamunda, Peel and Rockingham, some issues arise with the lease of the land involved and the high cost of the development of that land. There are also some issues about looking for alternative sites. As the Minister for Mental Health, I will make a commitment to work through those impediments. The whole thrust of this government is to make a commitment—in fact, the Premier committed to appoint a ministry of mental health—because we believe that this is an important part of health in Western Australia. I will work through those supported accommodation issues to which the member alludes. I will work in conjunction with the commissioner, because we are involved in the parallel process of not only developing legislation but also listening to the community and the Council of Official Visitors. They have input into the policy of the commissioner, who will listen to the needs of people in the community with mental health issues.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition has spoken of the Council of Official Visitors, which is an organisation that also has a very strong community advocacy role. We intend to act through a commissioner, much the same as the Commissioner for Children and Young People, supported by legislation and with line management through an operations deputy director general mental health. The community advocacy role that is fulfilled by the Council of Official Visitors report, to which the Deputy Leader of the Opposition alludes, is just what we are talking about with the structures that we want to adopt moving forward. Part of the report refers to supported accommodation. I will give credit where credit is due. There has been some commitment with the development of 257 supported accommodation units in the community, although the requirement is for over 350 units. We will move towards that number of supported accommodation units. However, there are some impediments, and the member for Kwinana knows what they are. When we talk about supported accommodation in Kalamunda, Peel and Rockingham, some issues arise with the lease of the land involved and the high cost of the development of that land. There are also some issues about looking for alternative sites. As the Minister for Mental Health, I will make a commitment to work through those impediments. The whole thrust of this government is to make a commitment—in fact, the Premier committed to appoint a ministry of mental health—because we believe that this is an important part of health in Western Australia. I will work through those supported accommodation issues to which the member alludes. I will work in conjunction with the commissioner, because we are involved in the parallel process of not only developing legislation but also listening to the community and the Council of Official Visitors. They have input into the policy of the commissioner, who will listen to the needs of people in the community with mental health issues.
The SPEAKER : Order! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition has spoken of the Council of Official Visitors, which is an organisation that also has a very strong community advocacy role. We intend to act through a commissioner, much the same as the Commissioner for Children and Young People, supported by legislation and with line management through an operations deputy director general mental health. The community advocacy role that is fulfilled by the Council of Official Visitors report, to which the Deputy Leader of the Opposition alludes, is just what we are talking about with the structures that we want to adopt moving forward. Part of the report refers to supported accommodation. I will give credit where credit is due. There has been some commitment with the development of 257 supported accommodation units in the community, although the requirement is for over 350 units. We will move towards that number of supported accommodation units. However, there are some impediments, and the member for Kwinana knows what they are. When we talk about supported accommodation in Kalamunda, Peel and Rockingham, some issues arise with the lease of the land involved and the high cost of the development of that land. There are also some issues about looking for alternative sites. As the Minister for Mental Health, I will make a commitment to work through those impediments. The whole thrust of this government is to make a commitment—in fact, the Premier committed to appoint a ministry of mental health—because we believe that this is an important part of health in Western Australia. I will work through those supported accommodation issues to which the member alludes. I will work in conjunction with the commissioner, because we are involved in the parallel process of not only developing legislation but also listening to the community and the Council of Official Visitors. They have input into the policy of the commissioner, who will listen to the needs of people in the community with mental health issues.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition has spoken of the Council of Official Visitors, which is an organisation that also has a very strong community advocacy role. We intend to act through a commissioner, much the same as the Commissioner for Children and Young People, supported by legislation and with line management through an operations deputy director general mental health. The community advocacy role that is fulfilled by the Council of Official Visitors report, to which the Deputy Leader of the Opposition alludes, is just what we are talking about with the structures that we want to adopt moving forward. Part of the report refers to supported accommodation. I will give credit where credit is due. There has been some commitment with the development of 257 supported accommodation units in the community, although the requirement is for over 350 units. We will move towards that number of supported accommodation units. However, there are some impediments, and the member for Kwinana knows what they are. When we talk about supported accommodation in Kalamunda, Peel and Rockingham, some issues arise with the lease of the land involved and the high cost of the development of that land. There are also some issues about looking for alternative sites. As the Minister for Mental Health, I will make a commitment to work through those impediments. The whole thrust of this government is to make a commitment—in fact, the Premier committed to appoint a ministry of mental health—because we believe that this is an important part of health in Western Australia. I will work through those supported accommodation issues to which the member alludes. I will work in conjunction with the commissioner, because we are involved in the parallel process of not only developing legislation but also listening to the community and the Council of Official Visitors. They have input into the policy of the commissioner, who will listen to the needs of people in the community with mental health issues.
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