Ministerial Statement

APY LANDS, SUBSTANCE MISUSE FACILITY

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Southern Suburbs, Minister Assisting the Premier in the Arts) (15:10): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.D. HILL: Last week, I visited the APY lands to meet with the local community and health practitioners working on the lands, in particular to discuss future plans for the Amata substance misuse facility. It is well known that this facility, commissioned by the previous federal Liberal government, is underutilised. We have been working with the Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Division to develop a new focus for this centre.

Currently, Drug and Alcohol Services SA (DASSA) delivers an outreach and transitional residential service from this facility. As I told the house last week, a total of 352 referrals relating to 275 individuals have been received since the outreach program commenced in 2006. The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service also runs a service from this facility. I was pleased, while I was there with officials from the health department, to discuss the types of services and programs—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.D. HILL: —that might be undertaken—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! There is too much noise coming from the left and right of my seat. I can hardly hear you, minister.

The Hon. J.D. HILL: I was pleased, on my trip, to talk about the types of services and programs that might be undertaken at the facility in the future. There is general support, I believe, for the facility to have a positive focus with extended services. Services will be developed over the coming months while we maintain the existing DASSA services, the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, and services being provided by non-government organisations.

Other services could include a procedure room (we think that is highly viable), a diabetes program (we will trial a mobile diabetes van in October), allied health services, other mental health services, and health promotion programs, along with other services and programs from relevant government agencies. We are particularly looking at a parenting program which needs new accommodation—

Mr Marshall: What about dialysis?

The Hon. J.D. HILL: I just said that; didn't you hear me? Service delivery models will be developed with and after further consultation with the Nganampa Health Council. We are very keen to move this forward, and we will work with federal government—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.D. HILL: —along with the Amata community and the appropriate governance structures and representation of Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yunkunytjatjara. As I indicated in this place on Thursday 15 September, I am responsible for the budget for this facility. A member asked in particular how much was in it; I can now provide more detail. The total budget is $1.327 million, which is made up of $1.077 million from the Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Division and $250,000 from Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia.

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Deputy leader, behave!