Now a report by the Productivity Commission released this week has found that the National Plan to Improve Mental Health and Prevent Suicide is not fit for purpose. The Commission's been reviewing the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement, which outlines commitments by the Federal government and state and territory governments to improve the mental health of Australians. Well, it's an interim report and it revealed that the agreement was fundamentally flawed and made no real improvements to the mental health system since it was signed in twenty twenty two. Now joining me on the line to tell us more is Commissioner Selwyn Button. Good morning to you.

Now a report by the Productivity Commission released this week has found that the National Plan to Improve Mental Health and Prevent Suicide is not fit for purpose. The Commission's been reviewing the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement, which outlines commitments by the Federal government and state and territory governments to improve the mental health of Australians. Well, it's an interim report and it revealed that the agreement was fundamentally flawed and made no real improvements to the mental health system since it was signed in twenty twenty two. Now joining me on the line to tell us more is Commissioner Selwyn Button. Good morning to you.

Selwyn, good morning, thanks for having me, Thank.

Selwyn, good morning, thanks for having me, Thank.

You so much for your time. Now, why is the National Plan flawed.

You so much for your time. Now, why is the National Plan flawed.

So that there's some structural issues in the National Plan. What we do have is a plan which has been signed up by state territory governments which sets out some lofty objectives and attached to that plan for each statement territory. Essentially, what is bilateral which is the implementation of the initiatives that focus on achieving the objectives. Now, the issue that we've got with the plan and the implementation plan itselves with the overall agreement to implementation plans, is that the initiatives that in the implementation plans to states and territories don't actually get to the heart of reforming the system and don't meet those lofty objectives that have been signed up in the agreement.

So that there's some structural issues in the National Plan. What we do have is a plan which has been signed up by state territory governments which sets out some lofty objectives and attached to that plan for each statement territory. Essentially, what is bilateral which is the implementation of the initiatives that focus on achieving the objectives. Now, the issue that we've got with the plan and the implementation plan itselves with the overall agreement to implementation plans, is that the initiatives that in the implementation plans to states and territories don't actually get to the heart of reforming the system and don't meet those lofty objectives that have been signed up in the agreement.

So are people getting the care that they need.

So are people getting the care that they need.

But the care is being provided. But what we do have is a fragmented system. Because when we took about reform and ensoying that we're improving access for rule, ensuring that we're delivering services that meet the need, and reforming the system to better respond to the needs of the community, those things aren't being dealt with or we're dealing with at the moment. Is an increase in the delivery of services, but not getting to the heart of the real reform that's required for the sector.

But the care is being provided. But what we do have is a fragmented system. Because when we took about reform and ensoying that we're improving access for rule, ensuring that we're delivering services that meet the need, and reforming the system to better respond to the needs of the community, those things aren't being dealt with or we're dealing with at the moment. Is an increase in the delivery of services, but not getting to the heart of the real reform that's required for the sector.

So what are some of the key areas where we need improvement?

So what are some of the key areas where we need improvement?

So what we need to do is to go back to some really basic things. One thing in terms of setting the foundation for what a new agreement should look like and if we want a fundamentally reform the system is developing a new national strategy. And the national strategy that's actually signed up by states and territories because the last one that was actually that was written and agreed to by all states and territories were developed in two thousand and eight. So it's been a long time there's been a national strategy that's agreed by all states and territories. Well, we're suggesting that let's go back to the drawing board, let's start there.

So what we need to do is to go back to some really basic things. One thing in terms of setting the foundation for what a new agreement should look like and if we want a fundamentally reform the system is developing a new national strategy. And the national strategy that's actually signed up by states and territories because the last one that was actually that was written and agreed to by all states and territories were developed in two thousand and eight. So it's been a long time there's been a national strategy that's agreed by all states and territories. Well, we're suggesting that let's go back to the drawing board, let's start there.

Well, and I would imagine that since that time, so much has changed in terms of, you know, the care that's even provided and the ways in which we care for people with mental health issues.

Well, and I would imagine that since that time, so much has changed in terms of, you know, the care that's even provided and the ways in which we care for people with mental health issues.

Yeah, certainly, and the experiences of Australians that are describing issues relating to mental health and suicidality, those things have changed significantly. There's been a number of things, including COVID that's happened during that time as well, So there's been a number of extern factors that have impacted upon the mental health experiences of Australia. So we do need to rethink what are we actually collectively focused.

Yeah, certainly, and the experiences of Australians that are describing issues relating to mental health and suicidality, those things have changed significantly. There's been a number of things, including COVID that's happened during that time as well, So there's been a number of extern factors that have impacted upon the mental health experiences of Australia. So we do need to rethink what are we actually collectively focused.

On, Commissioner. When you look at I mean obviously you know, looking broadly nationally across you know, right around the nation, and the ways in which we are you know, looking after people with mental health I would imagine is quite different then when you get to more regional and even more rural parts of Australia. I mean we very often here here in the Northern Territory that people struggle to get the support that they need.

On, Commissioner. When you look at I mean obviously you know, looking broadly nationally across you know, right around the nation, and the ways in which we are you know, looking after people with mental health I would imagine is quite different then when you get to more regional and even more rural parts of Australia. I mean we very often here here in the Northern Territory that people struggle to get the support that they need.

Yeah, look, an access to services is an issue right across the board, but certainly that issue becomes more prevalent when you look at rural and remote areas that access to services, access to specialists like psychologists and psychiatrists, those things in some places are as rare as tends to Yeah, they were do need to look at some of those workforce components. There was a workforce strategy that was developed as part of the the National Agreements, which has been signed off. The issue with the National Workforce Strategy that's out there at the moment is that there was never any funds attached to implementing the initiatives. And that's the worst of the government. Yes, it's great to have a strategy, but you've got to resource it so we can actually get some tracks on the ground.

Yeah, look, an access to services is an issue right across the board, but certainly that issue becomes more prevalent when you look at rural and remote areas that access to services, access to specialists like psychologists and psychiatrists, those things in some places are as rare as tends to Yeah, they were do need to look at some of those workforce components. There was a workforce strategy that was developed as part of the the National Agreements, which has been signed off. The issue with the National Workforce Strategy that's out there at the moment is that there was never any funds attached to implementing the initiatives. And that's the worst of the government. Yes, it's great to have a strategy, but you've got to resource it so we can actually get some tracks on the ground.

So the reality of this is that there actually needs to be adequate funding to tackle the country's mental health crisis.

So the reality of this is that there actually needs to be adequate funding to tackle the country's mental health crisis.

Yes, so there does need to be funds attached to make sure that the agreement achieves success. And that's not just funding for the initiatives. That's all the funding, the governance arrangements and ensuring that you've got the right people sitting at the table informing new initiatives and new policy to make sure at least we're getting things right and reforming the system.

Yes, so there does need to be funds attached to make sure that the agreement achieves success. And that's not just funding for the initiatives. That's all the funding, the governance arrangements and ensuring that you've got the right people sitting at the table informing new initiatives and new policy to make sure at least we're getting things right and reforming the system.

Yeah, So where to from here from the Productivity Commissions perspectives.

Yeah, So where to from here from the Productivity Commissions perspectives.

So the next steps for us into reports are now out in the public domain. We're now we're asking for submissions to into findings and recommendations. So that process will will remain in place until the thirty one thirty first of July, and then we'll go out during August. We'll undertake some public hearings where we'll go and speak to individuals as we've done in the past and had some conversations directly with not only with community but also service providers and people in living experience with a view that will be having our report to the Treasurer in October.

So the next steps for us into reports are now out in the public domain. We're now we're asking for submissions to into findings and recommendations. So that process will will remain in place until the thirty one thirty first of July, and then we'll go out during August. We'll undertake some public hearings where we'll go and speak to individuals as we've done in the past and had some conversations directly with not only with community but also service providers and people in living experience with a view that will be having our report to the Treasurer in October.

So if people are keen to have these day, is there a website or somewhere where they can go to do so?

So if people are keen to have these day, is there a website or somewhere where they can go to do so?

Yeah, so you can people can jump online now if you go to our website, which is a pretty football one. It's PC dot gov dot au. You'll be able to click through the links to start to have a look at what's happening with a mental health inquiry and certainly put in a submission in relation to what we're recommending at the moment we'll.

Yeah, so you can people can jump online now if you go to our website, which is a pretty football one. It's PC dot gov dot au. You'll be able to click through the links to start to have a look at what's happening with a mental health inquiry and certainly put in a submission in relation to what we're recommending at the moment we'll.

Commissioner sell one Button really appreciate your time this morning. Thank you very much for chatting with us.

Commissioner sell one Button really appreciate your time this morning. Thank you very much for chatting with us.

No worry, thanks for having me.

No worry, thanks for having me.

Thank you you too.

Thank you you too.