The announcement today of Ms Mary-Anne Thomas MP as the Coordinating Minister for the Department of Health and the first tabling of the new Victorian Mental Health and Wellbeing Bill on Tuesday 21 June, is good news for our Petition outcomes! The Bill includes the establishment of Regional multiagency panels "to support mental health and wellbeing service providers to deliver integrated treatment, care and support to people living with mental illness or psychological distress who require ongoing intensive treatment, care and support from multiple services."

We can talk about how the 'no wrong door' pilots in Ballarat and Bayside Melbourne regions our Petition seeks, align with the implementation of Regional multiagency panels when we meet with Minister Thomas. 

The timing of change of Ministers is good news, as we have avoided having a meeting with Minister Foley, and having to then request another meeting, to repeat it all again with Minister Thomas.

What happens now

• We will update the petition to reflect the change in ministerial responsibilities for the Victorian Department of Health, and therefore, whom we now wish to meet with.
• The formal request to meet with Minister Foley, will now be redirected to Minister Thomas.
• We will update the petition to note the alignment of outcomes the petition seeks with the Mental Health and Wellbeing Bill 2022.

We are 12,804 Supporters strong, and we are LOUD and being HEARD!

Thank you.