Oakden Mental Health Facility

Mr DULUK (Davenport) (14:58): My question again is to the Minister for Mental Health. Considering that the Minister for Health says that he has previously said he has received his advice on the suitability of Ward 18 from David Morris, a NALHN administrator, will the minister now ask the Chief Psychiatrist whether Ward 18 will be a better long-term option than Northgate for tier 7 patients?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:59): The answer is no different. Given how much the Liberal Party have been out peddling this idea of Ward 18, I am in no doubt that the Chief Psychiatrist would be of exactly the same view that Ward 18 does not lend itself to the care of these sorts of patients. Knowing the Chief Psychiatrist—and I know him very well—he is not one to be held back when he has a strong opinion on something. I am in no doubt that if the Chief Psychiatrist held the view that somehow Ward 18, despite everyone else's view, was better suited to the needs of these residents he would make that view very well known.