Question Time

Oakden Mental Health Facility

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:18): My question is to the Minister for Mental Health. If the government is willing to deploy security guards to protect staff and patients in emergency departments, why will the government not deploy security guards to protect patients at Oakden?

The Hon. J.W. Weatherill: Didn't you listen to the minister?

Mr MARSHALL: I did, but I want her explanation. They are at every other hospital in this state.

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Premier is called to order and so is the member for Unley.

Mr Marshall: She provided no explanation whatsoever.

The SPEAKER: The leader is called to order.

The Hon. J.M. Rankine interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Wright is called to order. Minister.

The Hon. L.A. VLAHOS (Taylor—Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse) (14:19): Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The deputy leader is warned.

The Hon. L.A. VLAHOS: I have just made a ministerial statement stating that I have sought advice and I have received it from the lead clinician at the Oakden site, who is supervising the care of residents at the Makk and McLeay wards. I would like to state that I think it's prudent to follow the advice of doctors.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The duty of the Speaker is to prevent quarrels between members.

The Hon. T.R. Kenyon: Well, it's not working, sir.

The SPEAKER: Apart from, 'It's not working,' as the member for Newland points out, I call to order the Minister for Health and the member for Mitchell.

The Hon. L.A. VLAHOS: I think it's prudent to listen to medical advice, particularly when this is a learned Chief Psychiatrist on site dealing with these frail and vulnerable South Australians every day. Their care and concern is most important. Dr Aaron Groves also has come out recently, today, and stated that it was important that this was listened to. I think the Principal Community Visitor, Maurice Corcoran, has also come out today criticising this approach. Considering three learned people, including the Chief Psychiatrist, have recommended that we do not approach this this way, I will listen to their advice.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I call to order the member for Morialta. I also warn him, and I warn for the first time the member for Mitchell.