Fels to chair Mental Health Commission
17th Oct 2011 Mark O’Brien all articles by this author
PROFESSOR Allan Fels, AO, has been welcomed as the replacement chair of the first National Mental Health Commission, which is set to report on the state of Australian mental health care and suicide prevention next year.
The commission is to be established by the federal government as an independent body and will report to the Prime Minister.
Professor Fels is best known as the former head of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and is dean of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government, chair of the Haven Foundation and patron of numerous mental health organisations.
The appointment follows the decision of senior South Australian Catholic priest Monsignor David Cappo, the government’s original choice for the role, to decline the job last month.
Monsignor Cappo was forced to turn down the position following accusations he had not acted “in a timely manner” when Adelaide-based Anglican Archbishop John Hepworth revealed he was the victim of violent rapes at the hands of three priests beginning in 1960.
Mental Health Council of Australia CEO Frank Quinlan said Professor Fels had championed mental health reform for many years and his work in the sector made him the ideal choice to chair the new commission.
“Professor Fels will bring his years of experience on administration, leadership, and advocacy to this position, and his appointment is warmly welcomed by the mental health sector,” he said.
“The establishment of a Mental Health Commission is a key part of the Government’s mental health reform agenda, which includes delivering a 10-year roadmap to reform.
“The MHCA looks forward to working with Professor Fels in achieving this milestone in mental health.”
Mental Health Minister Mark Butler said commissioners would be drawn from a range of areas and would improve transparency and accountability in the system.
Professor Fels said the commission would advocate for consumers and carers and ensure their needs were “given the priority they warrant by all levels of government”.
The commission’s responsibilities include managing the Annual National Report Card on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, monitoring the performance of the mental health system and providing policy advice to the government.
