执业40年的精神病学家帕特里克·麦戈里撰文指出，维多利亚州政府未能落实2018年王家委员会提出的74项精神卫生改革建议[1]。尽管初期承诺强劲且获得政治支持，但过去三年来改革动力已大幅消退[1]。麦戈里表示，政府声称取得进展的说法对患者、临床医生和社区而言是一种欺骗[1]。
精神卫生税每年筹集超过10亿澳元[1]，但改革的关键机制却被削弱。区域精神卫生委员会已被取消，精神卫生委员会的职能也遭削弱[1]。过去三年内发生多次卫生部长更替，导致改革被边缘化[1]，心理健康服务质量恶化，精神卫生经费被挪作他用[1]。
A veteran psychiatrist has accused the Victorian government of failing to implement meaningful mental health reforms, describing the situation as "mass gaslighting" toward patients and clinicians.[1] Patrick McGorry, writing in commentary, criticized the state's inability to advance the 74 transformational recommendations issued by a 2018 royal commission into mental health.[1]
Despite initial strong political backing and commitments, momentum for reform has dissipated over the past three years, with mental health service quality deteriorating and accountability mechanisms weakened.[1] The mental health levy generates over one billion Australian dollars annually, yet the funding has been diverted away from its intended purpose.[1] Multiple changes in health ministers during this period have marginalized reform efforts, while critical oversight bodies—including regional mental health committees—have been dismantled or significantly weakened.[1] McGorry contends that government claims of progress constitute deception directed at patients, clinicians, and the broader community.[1]