Media Centre
As the principal organisation representing psychiatrists in Australia and New Zealand, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) can put the media in touch with psychiatrists in relation to stories on mental health issues.
A range of psychiatrists are also available for comment to the media on issues relevant to psychiatry and mental health.
For media enquiries please contact:
Andy Newton
Senior Manager, Communications
T +61 (0)3 9601 4982
media@ranzcp.org
Or ranzcp@ranzcp.org
Media releases
22 January 2019
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) recognises the public health benefits of pill-testing services as part of a harm reduction approach to drug policy in Australia and New Zealand.
06 December 2018
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists’ New Zealand National Committee – Tu Te Akaaka Roa – welcomes the much anticipated report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction.
04 December 2018
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) has published new clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of adults with panic disorder, social anxiety disorder (SAD) and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).
04 December 2018
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) joins other medical colleges in their call for legislative change to allow for the urgent removal of critically ill children and their families held in immigration detention at the recommendation of qualified medical professionals.
26 November 2018
The Victorian Branch of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP Victorian Branch) congratulates the Victorian Government on its re-election and looks forward to working with them on the promised royal commission into mental health.
22 November 2018
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists supports the Queensland Mental Health Commission’s new plan, Shifting minds: Queensland Mental Health, Alcohol and Oher Drugs Strategic Plan 2018–2023.
12 November 2018
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) would like to express its concern and deep sadness at the devastating events in Bourke Street, Melbourne on Friday afternoon.
02 November 2018
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) affirms that a person should be supported to make their own decisions about treatment where possible, and that informed consent respects patient autonomy and protects human rights.
24 October 2018
The Victorian Branch of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP Victorian Branch) welcomes Premier Daniel Andrews’ promise to establish a Royal Commission into Mental Health if re-elected, but emphasises that action is needed now to meet the needs of people with mental illness.
23 October 2018
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) commends the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, on his national apology to victims and survivors of institutional child sexual abuse.
19 October 2018
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) reaffirms its opposition to the prolonged and indefinite immigration detention of children and their families, and urges the Australian Government to remove them from Nauru.
19 October 2018
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) congratulates the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine (ACEM) on a successful Mental Health in Emergency Department Summit.
18 October 2018
In response to recent media reports arising from the Religious Freedom Review, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists is concerned that changes enshrining further discrimination are likely to increase the mental health problems for people in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) communities.
08 October 2018
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists warmly welcomes the New Zealand Prime Minister’s announcement that the Child Poverty Reduction Bill has been reported back to the House with cross-party support. The RANZCP commends the Government on progressing this historic Bill.
28 September 2018
Nominations now open for the President Elect position on the RANZCP Board.
21 September 2018
In response to recent media reports about the children on Nauru, the RANZCP would like to restate its opposition to the prolonged and indefinite detention of child asylum seekers.
17 September 2018
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists welcomes the federal government's decision to establish a Royal Commission into aged care, and hopes that the inquiry will shed a light on issues within the sector and lead to targeted investment in improving aged care services across Australia.
10 August 2018
New figures from the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) show that 100% of New South Wales is in drought, with almost a quarter classified as being in intense drought. With unseasonably dry conditions projected to continue in the following months, how can we help support the mental health of Australia’s rural and remote communities?
03 July 2018
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists is deeply concerned about reports of a psychiatric patient being kept in prison because of a lack of appropriate high security mental health facilities.
18 June 2018
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) welcomes the Queensland State Government’s $106.4 million investment in community mental health services.
14 June 2018
The RANZCP are aware of recent media coverage about the publication of a book by Queensland psychiatrist, Dr Donald Grant. We are currently reviewing the matter internally through appropriate College processes, and therefore are unable to comment at this time.
13 June 2018
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) notes the sentence of Victorian psychiatrist Dr Robert Proctor.
08 June 2018
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists welcomes the New Zealand Government’s announcement that the Office of the Ombudsman will soon carry out inspections of privately run dementia units.
09 May 2018
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) welcomes the $338 million mental health investment in the federal government’s 2018-2019 budget.
02 May 2018
The Victorian State Government’s $705 million investment into the state’s mental health and addiction services is a welcome signal of a new commitment to the sector, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists has said.
26 April 2018
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) notes the sentence of former Western Australian psychiatrist, Ian McAlpine. The RANZCP can confirm that this individual is not a current practising psychiatrist and was removed as a member of the RANZCP in 1992 after being found guilty of unprofessional conduct by the Medical Board of Western Australia.
28 March 2018
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists is calling on the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) to work together with the Australian Government to ensure more funding and support for the mental health needs of Australian veterans.
28 February 2018
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) welcomes the recommendations made in the South Australian Independent Commissioner Against Corruption’s (ICAC) final report of the investigation into potential serious or systemic maladministration associated with the Oakden Older Persons Mental Health Service.
27 February 2018
A new report from the Australasian College of Emergency (ACEM) on access blocks and long wait times for mental health presentations in emergency departments highlights a major funding problem for mental health care in Australia and New Zealand, The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) has said.
06 February 2018
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrist (RANZCP) welcomes Mr Wikepa Keelan (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungungu) as the RANZCP’s new Kaumātua.
25 January 2018
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists welcomes the announcement of an Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction in New Zealand.
24 January 2018
A shortage of psychiatrists is contributing to the crisis in mental health services in rural and remote Australia, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) has said.
22 January 2018
The challenges experienced by people with serious mental health issues may be worse under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), as more people with psychosocial disability related to mental illness are deemed ineligible for the scheme, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) has warned.
22 December 2017
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) would like to express its concern and sadness at the terrible and terrifying event which occurred on Flinders/Elizabeth Street yesterday afternoon.