DISABILITY SA

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (15:01): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for State/Local Government Relations, representing the Minister for Health, a question about Disability SA.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: It has recently come to my attention that, following the resignation of a senior clinical psychologist in January, Disability SA now has fewer than two full-time clinical psychologists under its employment to care for all adults in South Australia. I understand that, previously, Disability SA had quite a number of psychologists. However, this number has diminished over the years as vacancies have not been filled. Were it not for the services of psychologists, the government would be responsible for providing additional funds to support homeless and abused children. My questions to the minister are:

1. How many psychologists work for Disability SA and on what basis?

2. How many people are these psychologists responsible for?

3. Is there any intention to fill vacated positions?

4. Does the minister accept that Disability SA needs to employ more psychologists to give patients better access to these services?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy) (15:02): I thank the honourable member for his important questions and will refer those to the relevant minister in another place. I am not too sure whether that is the Minister for Disability or the Minister for Health, but I will make sure it gets to the right person.