Joan Pereira on Community Disputes Resolution (Amendment) Bill

The effective resolution of community disputes will require parties to play their part, and this will hopefully lead to a more gracious and considerate society, said MP Joan Pereira. Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday (Nov 12), she said the Community Disputes Resolution (Amendment) Bill lends weight to the mediation process by introducing mandatory mediation. She also raised concerns with the mandatory treatment order for a person believed to be suffering from a mental health condition linked to acts of nuisance, saying it could be costly and burdensome. She wanted to know if the mediator can be empowered to make recommendations or referrals to mental health resources if the parties agree to explore mental health support at the mediation stage. She asked if the Government could consider providing such mental health resources at no cost for the initial consultation. She also wanted to know what measures are available to address nuisance issues faced by private estate residents.