STATEMENT
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women
The Honourable Shannon Fentiman
- Ivan Frkovic extends his time as Queensland’s Mental Health Commissioner for the next three years.
- Mr Frkovic will continue to oversee development and implementation of the whole-of government strategic plan to improve the mental health and wellbeing of Queenslanders.
- Queensland Government has committed a record-breaking $1.64 billion to continue expanding mental health support.
Ivan Frkovic has been re-appointed as Commissioner of the Queensland Mental Health Commission for the next three years, seeing his time in the role extend to nine years.
Mr Frkovic was appointed to the role in 2017, boasting 30 years’ experience in the Queensland mental health sector.
His new three-year term as Commissioner will begin on July 1, tasked with driving ongoing reform towards a more integrated, evidence-based and recovery-oriented mental health, drug and alcohol system in Queensland.
The Commission’s objectives are achieved primarily through the delivery and implementation of its whole-of-government strategic plan, Shifting minds.
With further plans – Achieving balance: The Queensland Alcohol and Other Drugs Plan 2022–2027 and Better Care Together – released last year to assist with driving reform in this space.
Development of the plans support recommendations from the Mental Health Select Committee’s Inquiry, looking at the opportunities to improve mental health outcomes for Queenslanders.
The Queensland Government has already announced several initiatives following the inquiry, including the establishment of Head to Health adult and children’s services, an expansion of Queensland’s Police Drug Diversion Program and the introduction of drug checking services in Queensland for the first time.
A record-breaking $1.64 billion was also announced as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s 2022-23 Budget to fund mental health support over the next five years.
Quotes attributable to Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman:
“I would like to congratulate Ivan on his re-appointment as Commissioner and thank him for the tireless work he’s already undertaken over the past six years.
“With the growing need for mental health support in this state, the importance of the Queensland Mental Health Commission will only increase, and I know Ivan will do an exemplary job in driving reform.
“As part of our commitment to supporting the mental health of Queenslanders, the record breaking State Budget last year included $1.645 billion over five years to improve mental health, alcohol and other drugs services.
“This investment included nearly $8.9 million in 2022-23 to help the Commission achieve its key deliverables: creating better lives through person-centred and integrated services; investing to save through improved population mental health and early intervention; and whole-of-system improvement through a balanced approach and collective action.
“We are already seeing tangible improvements across the system, and I look forward to working closely with Ivan and the Queensland Mental Health Commission to ensure we continue delivering for all Queenslanders.”
Quotes attributable to Queensland Mental Health Commissioner Ivan Frkovic:
“I am incredibly excited and thankful to be continuing in the role of Queensland Mental Health Commissioner.
“In my past six years in the role I have been responsible for driving broad-based reform in mental health, alcohol and other drugs, and suicide prevention across Queensland, nationally and internationally.
“As a result, I have influenced and informed policy, funding, service delivery, and patient-led practice.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked in a variety of other roles in the mental health space over the past 30 years, and this has given me valuable insight into the lives of those affected by mental health illness and how we can best support them.
“I’m grateful I will have the chance to continue this important work and I’m eager to facilitate real change, as well as advocating for all Queenslanders with lived experience.”
ENDS
Media contact – Natarjsha Kramer 0456 436 934
This Ministerial Media Statement has been republished from The Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory.
