Suicide Prevention

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:11): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, representing the Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, questions regarding the implementation of the South Australian Suicide Strategy 2012-16.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS: During the estimates process held in the other place this year, the honourable member for Morphett asked the Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse a number of questions regarding the implementation of the government's 2012-16 Suicide Prevention Strategy. On Wednesday of last week in the other place, the minister tabled his response to these questions, which he had taken on notice. I was specifically interested to read that—and I quote from the minister's response:

A South Australian government suicide prevention implementation committee will be established in the coming months to unite government departments, supporting them in the implementation and ensuring the objectives in the 'South Australian Suicide Prevention Strategy 2012-2016: Every life is worth living', relevant to each government department, are fulfilled.

I support the establishment of such a committee but, having had the experience as chairman of the Olsen government's regional development issues group, which was a similar group and which brought together representatives from departments and agencies across government, I found that, when that group started, everybody was engrossed in their own silos, and I think that this could be the case with the establishment of such a new committee. I indicate that I think that the important choice of the chair of that committee will be essential, and I wish the government well in that choice. My questions are:

1. Will the minister advise the council when the South Australian suicide prevention implementation committee will be established?

2. Given that the government's Suicide Prevention Strategy was established in 2012, why has it taken the minister almost two years to establish the implementation committee?

3. Who will chair the committee?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (15:14): I thank the honourable member for his most important questions and his ongoing advocacy in this very important policy area. I undertake to take the question to the Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse in the other place and seek a response on his behalf.

The PRESIDENT: Just to the members of the press up there: after question time there is 35 minutes of matters of importance, so just in case you didn't realise that, there will be 35 minutes of speeches before you get to the article I believe you are looking for.