Tim Marney to be Mental Health Commissioner

Premier Colin Barnett has announced the appointment of under-treasurer Tim Marney as the state’s next mental health commissioner. 

Mr Marney, who has held the role of under-treasurer since 2005, will succeed Western Australia's first ever mental health commissioner, Eddie Bartnik, on February 17.

Mr Barnett said in a statement that Mr Marney had expressed a strong interest in making a contribution to the government’s reform agenda in mental health. 

“With a Mental Health Bill currently before the parliament and work taking place on a Mental Health Services Plan to address major challenges facing the government and the community in relation to mental health, the government was delighted to accept Mr Marney’s request to enter this role from his current position,” Mr Barnett said.

“Mr Marney has served on the board of beyondblue since 2008 and has been deputy chair of the board for the past three years. He has been a vocal advocate of mental health issues and has spoken openly of his own experience with depression and anxiety.

“Mr Marney’s position of under-treasurer will be filled on an acting basis by deputy under-treasurer Michael Barnes, who will continue to support and implement the government’s economic agenda,” the premier said.

Mr Marney will lead the Mental Health Commission’s merger with the Drug and Alcohol Office, as announced by Mental Health Minister Helen Morton in April last year.

The Mental Health Commission was established in 2010, with a goal of driving reform of the mental health system.

This reform has included the development of more community-centred support and services.