National Mental Health Commission chief Christine Morgan steps aside ahead of probe

National Mental Health Commission chief Christine Morgan has voluntarily stepped down as federal Health Minister Mark Butler announced an investigation into the agency.

National Mental Health Commission CEO Christine Morgan has stepped down.

National Mental Health Commission chief Christine Morgan has voluntarily stepped down as federal Health Minister Mark Butler announced an investigation into allegations of workplace, financial and governance issues at the agency.

Mr Butler said the investigation, to be led by Debora Picone, would investigate allegations in relation to the operations of the NMHC amid turmoil within the agency over its workplace culture and the quality of the policy it has developed at large expense. Spending on travel and communications contracts is under the microscope.

Mr Butler said the investigation would examine whether a raft of allegations raised by current and former employees of the agency were substantiated.

Professor Picone would also lead a “culture and capability review” of the NMHC “to ensure the commission is able to provide a safe working environment and has the capability to perform its role”.

There would also be a “full functional and efficiency review to ensure the commission can be financially sustainable moving forward”.

“As minister I take allegations of this nature seriously and will prioritise ensuring a safe working environment for staff,” Mr Butler said.

Ruth Vine, the current Deputy Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health and Aged Care, will take over as interim CEO of the agency.

Suicide rates nationwide have not declined since the national agency was created in 2012.

Problems at the NMHC have been reportedly building over the past year, with directors acknowledging a culture of risk aversion, secrecy and blame in the organisation.