*Please note: We have closed tickets for the event.

Zoom Meeting Link - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84971906015

Invitation: Human Rights Act for NSW – Parliamentary Event**

Protecting Rights. Protecting Mental Health.

Hosted by

Wayahead | BEING – Mental Health Consumers | Mental Health Carers NSW

You are warmly invited to a special event at the NSW Parliament to build momentum for a Human Rights Act for NSW, with a strong focus on such legislation strengthens the causes of mental health challenges.

This event brings together community members, people with lived experience, Members of Parliament, civil society organisations, and legal and mental health leaders. Together, we will shine a light on why NSW needs a modern, fair, and accountable rights framework — and how a Human Rights Act can improve the everyday lives of people with mental health challenges.

Event Details

🗓 Date: Thursday, 12 February 2026
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM (registration starts at 12PM with networking to follow at 2PM)
📍 Venue: Theatrette, NSW Parliament House
🌐 Format: Hybrid (in‑person + livestream)
♿ Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, Auslan and live captioning provided

Program Highlights

Opening Remarks
Giancarlo de Vera (CEO BEING), Sharon Grocott (CEO Wayahead), Dr Amanda Cohn MLC (Greens NSW spokesperson for health (including Mental Health)
Welcome to Country
Cr Yvonne Weldon (Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council) (TBC)
Address
Jenny Leong MP — Human Rights Bill 2025 (Greens NSW spokesperson for Human Rights)
Keynote Speakers
The Hon. Kevin Bell AO KC, former Victorian Supreme Court Judge & Professor of International Human Rights Law
Rosemary Kayess, Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Commissioner (Human Rights Lawyer)
Government Speakers
The Hon. Rose Jackson MLC, Minister for Mental Health
Panel Discussion + Q&A
Panel Moderator: Natasha Robinson, Health Editor (The Australian)
Panellists:
• Giancarlo de Vera, CEO, BEING – Mental Health Consumers
• Sharon Grocott, CEO, Wayahead
• Jonathan Harms, CEO, Mental Health Carers NSW
• Jennifer Black, NSW Mental Health Commissioner
Closing remarks: The Hon Susan Carter MLC, Co-Chair NSW Parliamentary Friends of Mental Health
Call to Action (Group Photo)
All attendees — community members, parliamentarians, sector partners — are invited to participate in a group photo holding campaign placards to visually express broad public support for a Human Rights Act for NSW.
Networking reception in the Foyer

Who Should Attend

This event welcomes a broad, diverse audience, including:

People with lived and living experience of mental health challenges
Families, friends, supporters and allies of people with mental health challenges
Members of the NSW Parliament and parliamentary staff
Mental health, disability, human rights, and legal sector leaders
Community organisations, advocates, and service providers
Media
Members of the Human Rights for NSW Alliance
Anyone passionate about fairness, dignity, and human rights

RSVP
Please register your attendance by 10 am on the 10 February 2026

Contact
For questions or accessibility requests, please contact:
Sharon Grocott
Chief Executive Officer, Wayahead
📧sharon.grocott@wayahead.org.au

Contact the host of Human Rights Act NSW - Parliamentary Event