Suicide Prevention

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (14:43): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation in his capacity representing the Minister for Mental Health and Substance abuse, a question about suicide prevention questions.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS: On 4 June, 18 June and 19 June this year I asked questions of the minister representing the Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse regarding various aspects of the government's Suicide Prevention Strategy. The minister, other members of the government and many other MPs have encouraged me in my work on suicide prevention as an important issue that has been and should remain beyond party politics. I also recognise that the delay in answering questions in this council can quite often result from inaction in the office of a minister in another place. My questions are:

1. Firstly, why is it that relatively straightforward questions on the suicide prevention strategy asked four months ago remain unanswered?

2. Given the strong community support for action within and alongside the government's suicide prevention strategy, including the development of more suicide prevention networks across the state, will the minister seek a prompt response to these questions from the minister in another place?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:45): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. I would like to recognise and say how much I admire his ongoing commitment to this area of public policy. I commend him for it, and I can advise him that I have recently signed off on answers to those questions and should be presenting them to the house very shortly.