For several years, I have been raising concerns about whether theMental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT) is giving sufficient weight to community safety and the concerns of victims when making decisions about forensic mental health patients.
The recent reported death of 74-year-old Quang My Pham in Western Sydney has reinforced why these concerns deserve serious attention. While the circumstances are still subject to investigation, I have written to the Minister for Mental Health requesting an urgent review into reports that the alleged offender was a recently released forensic mental health patient.
This is not about opposing rehabilitation. It’s about ensuring there is an appropriate balance between rehabilitation, victim welfare and community safety.
For years, victims and families have shared their experiences with me, describing a system where they feel their concerns are heard but not always meaningfully considered.
One such case is that of Wendy Robinson, who has spent years attending MHRT hearings to advocate for her family’s safety following the murder of her parents by a family member found not guilty by reason of mental illness. After years of lobbying, I am pleased that the NSW Parliament’s Law and Safety Committee has now agreed to conduct an inquiry into the MHRT following my formal request earlier this year.
The inquiry will examine whether the current system adequately protects victims and communities, provides sufficient transparency and accountability, and strikes the right balance between patient rehabilitation and public safety. I will continue advocating for stronger oversight, greater transparency and reforms that ensure victims’ voices are genuinely considered indecisions that may affect public safety.
Our communities deserve confidence that appropriate safeguards are in place, and victims deserve confidence that their safety remains a central consideration in every decision.
Cheers, Phil
