Oakden Mental Health Facility

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:49): Was it treating the families with respect and dignity not to read the report for more than one week and not to make any public comment on the contents of the Oakden report for more than two weeks?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:50): We had a minister who made an immediate and unconditional apology. We have an acting premier and arrangements in place to ensure the continuity of government when any minister or any premier or deputy premier is absent on leave. It is entirely appropriate that the matter was dealt with by the minister in my absence, and as soon as I returned from leave I made an immediate public remark expressing my distress and concern about the events, offering to meet the family members, which I did within days, and together with the minister we have been taking steps to address their distress and the issues that they wish to bring to us.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Goyder and Davenport, and I warn for the first time the leader and the member for Hartley, and I warn the member for Hartley for the second and final time. Leader.