Legislative Council Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2) 51 2 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time AIDS Council of South Australia AIDS COUNCIL OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA The Hon. A. BRESSINGTON Legislative Council AIDS COUNCIL OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA The Hon. A. BRESSINGTON (14:56): By way of supplementary question, will the minister explain to the council exactly what professional qualifications are required for these outreach workers within the AIDS Council? Are they required to have a diploma of professional counselling or anything like that or are they just prostitutes and drug users? The Hon. G.E. GAGO Legislative Council Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health AIDS COUNCIL OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health) (14:56): I am not aware. I am happy to provide details of the person specifications required for this position. I do not have those details in front of me. I have been very clear that these peer educators may be someone with significant personal knowledge or experience with injecting drug use, and that has been shown to be very effective in their credibility in engaging other clients. I have made very clear that the information I have is that the advertisement could pertain to someone with former experience, and I certainly do not endorse its being a requirement for the holder of the position to be a current drug user. I have asked for the matter to be fully investigated.