Oakden Mental Health Facility

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:41): A further supplementary to the Minister for Mental Health: did any members of the minister's office speak with minister Snelling, that is, the Minister for Health, or any of his staff, about the contents of the Chief Psychiatrist's report? If you are not familiar with that, will you make that inquiry and report back to the house?

The Hon. L.A. VLAHOS (Taylor—Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse) (15:41): It was well known that there was an independent review being undertaken. I had done two previous ministerial statements on this matter—

Mr Knoll interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Schubert is warned.

The Hon. L.A. VLAHOS: —and I brought that to the parliament. In fact, it was not until 28 February that the opposition even asked a question about this matter. They were late to this matter. It was the government that acted and brought on this independent review. We are the ones who are acting to improve the quality of care of the residents at Oakden. We are the ones who are closing the facility and moving people to a safer environment that is appropriate for their clinical needs.

Mr Knoll interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Schubert, the classic question in Lady Chatterley's Lover's trial was, 'Would you let your servants read this book?' The answer in this case is yes.