Mr NORTHE (Morwell): (19:17): (6112) My adjournment debate matter is directed to the Attorney-General in the other place, and the action I seek is for the Attorney-General to adopt the recommendations contained within a report just completed by my parliamentary intern, Georgina Stephens. Georgina has done an incredible job in compiling evidence, research and background into the linkages between mental health, addictive behaviours and how they intersect with the justice system. Georgina made four worthy recommendations in her report, with the number one recommendation being for Victoria to adopt South Australia’s version of a gambling intervention program, GIP, which operates similarly to Victoria’s Drug Court.
In particular Victoria persons with drug and/or alcohol addiction who have committed low-level crimes may be eligible in the courts to receive a drug and alcohol treatment order if they are prepared to undertake rehabilitation treatments in lieu of being incarcerated. Georgina rightly pointed out that whilst drug- and alcohol-related crimes are treated to some extent with health and mental health responses in the judicial system, it seems problem gamblers are not treated equally in that same context. Yes, Victoria does have an assessment and referral court, it does have the court integrated services program, which can assist persons with underlying issues and provide referrals to programs. However, it would appear that the South Australian GIP is directly aimed at problem gamblers and their poor mental health, and I encourage the Attorney and the Victorian government to consider a similar program in our jurisdiction.
It seems such an initiative can and will save lives. As one local counsellor said to me recently, people are presenting to the courts as a result of crimes associated with gambling and their mental health, yet they are treated without any respect or dignity, and this is leading to suicides. This is a disgusting blight on our society, particularly if gaps in the system are allowing that to happen. Implementing a GIP in Victoria’s courts is a no-brainer. It will give hope to offenders, it will enable people to be rehabilitated by improving their mental health and it will save lives. In the Latrobe Valley Express last week a young local father of four, Jamie Hall, shared his story about gambling addiction and how it had impacted his life and that of his family. Jamie mentioned the shame, guilt and deceit that comes with addiction, and whilst he has not gambled for 2½ years, it was only after seeking help for his mental health and a diagnosis of ADHD that he was finally able to recover.
On Sunday evening I shared a Facebook post on my own battles with mental health and addiction, and I can say that I was overwhelmed by the number of people who reached out expressing an understanding given their own lived experience. If you fix a person’s mental health, you go a long way to fixing addictive behaviours, and that is what a GIP can achieve. I can say clearly I am who I am today and not who I was when unwell. Once again, I commend Georgina for producing a very comprehensive, informative and valuable report that sets out very clearly that problem gambling should be treated from a health and mental health perspective, and I trust the Attorney-General will agree.
