National Statement of Principles relating to Persons Unfit to Plead or Not Guilty by Reason of Cognitive or Mental Health Impairment
In November 2015, the Law, Crime and Community Safety Council (now the Council of Attorneys-General) agreed to establish a cross-jurisdictional working group on the treatment of people with cognitive or mental health impairment unfit to plead or found not guilty by reason of mental impairment. As part of this process, the working group developed the National Statement of Principles Relating to Persons Unfit to Plead or Found Not Guilty by Reason of Cognitive or Mental Health Impairment (the National Principles).
The National Principles recognise the rights of persons with cognitive or mental health impairment, and seek to identify safeguards throughout legal processes and during the period in which a person who is unfit to plead or not guilty by reason of cognitive or mental health impairment is subject to orders. They are best practice principles to ensure that treatment is tailored, inclusive and recovery oriented, with agencies and service providers collaborating to provide coordinated care.
All states and territories have considered the National Principles and as of August 2019 they have been endorsed by the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Western Australia, Victoria and Tasmania.
South Australia has advised that while they remain broadly supportive of the objectives of the National Principles, their foremost consideration is the protection of the community. The safety of South Australians is at the heart of their laws, including sentencing laws. As such, South Australia has not endorsed the National Principles as they are inconsistent with their current legislative provisions, policies and procedures.
The states and territories who have provided endorsement will implement the National Principles in the context of their own legislation, policy and procedures. The Australian Government has committed to reviewing the National Principles in five years, in consultation with state and territory jurisdictions, to ensure they remain relevant and continue to represent best practice.