Limestone Coast residents who have been affected by suicide are being encouraged to put forward their views and experiences to help draft new legislation by Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell.
The draft Suicide Prevention Bill has been released for community consultation and is expected to be introduced in State Parliament in early 2021. It comes as the Mount Gambier MP strives for regional mental health to become a government priority for 2021.
“Last year, I spoke on the importance of prioritising our mental health and well-being and this year, it’s about future-planning for the sector to take in the wide-ranging needs of South Australians now and into the future,” he said.
“The Suicide Prevention Bill is a significant piece of legislation for South Australia and if passed, it will see changes in prevention activities, reporting and also seek to establish a council to oversee state plans.”
Mr Bell said the community consultation aspect of legislation was crucial and different views could add fresh perspectives and layers.
“When it comes to creating legislation that fits the purpose, a whole community and whole government approach is so important,” he said. “When a suicide occurs, it creates a ripple effect in the community, affecting a wide range of people directly and indirectly.
“It’s important for all these people to put forward their views and experiences so they can help us form the best legislation for our state moving forward.”
Under the proposed Bill:
• A Suicide Prevention Council will be established to oversee suicide prevention and post-vention and develop and implement the next State Suicide Prevention Plan;
• Some state government agencies will be required to develop their own agency suicide prevention plan, outlining measures to prevent suicide by members of the community to which the agency provides services, as well as the agency’s employees;
• There will be capacity to declare a specified method or means by which people may take their own life to be a controlled lethal means;
• An Australian Suicide Register will be established to provide more timely information to assist in a targeted approach to suicide prevention initiatives.
People can provide feedback by completing a survey, making a written submission or participating in a webinar consultation via the YourSay website by February 12.
