Canberra Liberals Leader and Shadow Minister for Men’s Health, Mark Parton MLA, has introduced the Suicide Prevention Bill 2026 to create a stronger legislative framework for coordination, planning and accountability across the ACT.
The Bill treats suicide prevention as an ongoing government responsibility rather than a series of disconnected initiatives. It would require a Territory-wide suicide prevention plan, supported by plans across directorates and agencies including ACT Policing, modelled on frameworks already operating in New South Wales and South Australia.
It would also establish a Suicide Prevention Council to provide advice, encourage collaboration and ensure the experiences of people affected by suicide inform policy and practice.
Suicide Prevention Australia CEO Nieves Murray welcomed the Bill, saying: “Suicide Prevention Australia wholeheartedly welcomes the introduction of this Bill to Parliament and the important progress it represents for suicide prevention in the ACT.
We commend Mark Parton and his office for the work undertaken to bring this legislation forward and for recognising the importance of embedding suicide prevention as a long-term priority across government.”
Ms Murray urged bipartisan support, stating: “We now urge all members of Parliament, across political parties, to support the Bill and work together to see it become law.
Suicide prevention is not about politics, it's about people. It is an issue that deserves and requires bipartisan support with all parts of government coming together around a shared responsibility to save lives.”
She added that South Australia and New South Wales have demonstrated the value of embedding suicide prevention in legislation, and that “the Australian Capital Territory now has an opportunity to build on that progress, strengthen accountability and ensure suicide prevention remains a sustained priority beyond political cycles. This is an important opportunity to deliver significant reform for the people of the ACT.”
“Suicide prevention is too important to be left to good intentions alone,” Mr Parton said. “We need a coordinated approach, clear responsibilities and genuine accountability. This Bill requires government to plan, work together, listen to lived experience and report publicly on progress.”
The Bill also proposes a framework for collecting and using information about suspected and confirmed deaths by suicide, with appropriate safeguards, to strengthen the evidence base for prevention.
Mr Parton said the legislation must respond to the needs of all people at risk while recognising the particular challenge of suicide among men and boys.
“No single law can prevent every death by suicide. But we can put stronger structures in place to make government more coordinated, more transparent and more accountable,” he said.
Mr Parton committed to introducing the Bill in April 2026 following the creation of the shadow Men and Men’s Health portfolio.
The Bill will be debated at a later date.