Oakden Mental Health Facility

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:08): Supplementary: is the minister suggesting to this house that she is unaware that her own department has engaged a private sector law firm to conduct investigations into her own staff members with their relationship to the Oakden review?

The Hon. L.A. VLAHOS (Taylor—Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse) (14:08): Where staff are suspected of behaving inappropriately, these issues will be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate disciplinary actions and measures are being undertaken. As of this morning, eight staff are currently stood down pending further inquiries, and 21 staff, as I have said to this chamber on a number of occasions, have been reported to AHPRA. This is a complex and sensitive—

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The deputy leader will not interject over the minister when the minister is answering and not out of order. The member for Bragg is called to order.

The Hon. L.A. VLAHOS: —ongoing investigation, which is distressing to everyone involved, including those staff who are continuing to provide the level of care we expect for the residents at Oakden. I would also like to take the opportunity today, as we have had nurses in the gallery, to recognise the nursing staff who are doing the right thing at Oakden and helping the residents there every day. We aim to improve the standards of care for those residents on an ongoing basis, and we have announced that we will fully implement the government response that was taken to cabinet on 20 April.