Leaked documents show Victoria's mental health watchdog stripped of power

A trove of internal Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission (MHWC) documents, obtained by The Age, detail how the watchdog was diluted until it could no longer effectively monitor the sector or track the state government’s promised reforms — the two roles it was mandated to perform.

The hundreds of pages reveal that the commission cannot investigate systemic issues such as whether sufficient new mental health beds are being created for young people, whether restraints are being used illegally, patients being discharged into homelessness, or whether poor pay is contributing to a workforce crisis. The documents also show the commission was blocked from accessing vital data by the Department of Health and did not act on concerns about excessive emergency department wait times for the mentally ill or allegations that health service administrators may be siphoning mental health funds to prop up other parts of struggling hospitals.

In June 2025, the MHWC's former commissioners and senior executives drafted a scathing opinion piece intended to go public about their diminishing independence and fears the government was abandoning royal commission recommendations, but they did not follow through. In December 2025, an act of parliament removed the four independent commissioners, sold as a cost-saving measure. Health Minister Ingrid Stitt appointed a single commissioner in their place. Former NSW mental health commissioner Jennifer Black took up the role on September 29 this year, but inherits a watchdog with half the staff and budget it had a year earlier and a greatly reduced mandate.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Victoria’s mental health watchdog was created in response to a royal commission that demanded robust independent oversight. Its weakening raises questions about accountability for promised reforms.
Patients and families relying on the mental health system may face greater risks if systemic issues — from bed shortages to illegal restraints — go uninvestigated.
The new commissioner’s ability to function with reduced resources will test whether the watchdog can still fulfil any meaningful safeguarding role.

Background

Victoria’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission was established following a royal commission into the state’s mental health system. It was designed to independently monitor reforms and hold the government and health services to account. Over the past 18 months, the government has progressively cut the commission’s budget, staff and independence. An act of parliament in December 2025 replaced the four independent commissioners with a single commissioner, a move the government framed as a cost-saving measure.

Key Perspectives

Former commissioners and senior MHWC executives: They drafted an opinion piece in June 2025 expressing alarm at the loss of independence and the abandonment of royal commission recommendations, but ultimately did not publish it. The Victorian government (Health Minister Ingrid Stitt): The government introduced legislation to remove the independent commissioners, citing cost savings, and appointed a single commissioner with a reduced mandate. Mental health advocates and oversight bodies: The leaked documents suggest the watchdog has been rendered unable to perform its mandated roles, leaving vulnerable patients without effective oversight.

What to Watch

Whether the new commissioner, Jennifer Black, publicly requests restoration of budget, staff or powers.
Any parliamentary or community pressure for an inquiry into the commission’s weakening.
Signs that systemic problems — such as emergency department delays or diverted mental health funds — escalate without watchdog intervention.

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