Australia. Good intentions-reviewing 30 years of mental health policy reform

The year 2022 marks 30 years since Australia's first National Mental Health Strategy. This paper aims to review this nation's progress. Some achievements are clear and worthy of reflection. However, the trajectory of reform is far from straightforward. The past three decades have seen mental health in Australia subject to multiple reforms and overlapping policy goals. Key commitments to establish meaningful accountability for progress remain unfulfilled, leaving us outcome blind. Evidence of the impact of change is thin. Understanding Australia's historical approach to mental health planning can inform next steps and help drive the develop of more robust processes designed to deliver national accountability. Australia's national approach to mental health reform offers lessons for other nations. Of particular importance here is the need for better approaches to local or regional planning, supported by systems of accountability that facilitate quality improvement.