Mental Health Victoria said the decision to delay the release of the final report by the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System was not unexpected given the disruption caused by COVID-19.
Mental Health Victoria CEO Angus Clelland said the short delay was welcomed as it would provide more time for the Royal Commission to complete its critical engagement work with consumers, carers and families and to fully consider the implications of the coronavirus pandemic and natural disasters like last summer's bushfires.
"We note that important reforms are already progressing, with implementation work on the Royal Commission's Interim Report recommendations being fast tracked as part of the COVID-19 response," Mr Clelland said.
"We do not anticipate that the mental health reform agenda will be impacted by this delay. In fact, the extra time should ensure that the impact of disasters like the bushfires are well considered and that the many service innovations emerging from the pandemic such as telehealth are well considered in the final report."
"We also welcome the Premier's renewed assurance that all Royal Commission recommendations will be implemented."
