Suicide Prevention

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (14:45): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, representing the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, a question regarding suicide awareness training for front-line public transport employees.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS: With your indulgence, Mr President, I would firstly like to recognise that today is World Suicide Prevention Day and this year we are also recognising R U OK Day on the same day. It is a time to remind the South Australian community to ask their friends and loved ones the simple question 'Are you okay?' because those three simple words could potentially save a life.

Recently a member of my staff accompanied me in attending a national suicide prevention conference hosted by Suicide Prevention Australia in Hobart. The conference was attended by 400 people, including professionals and community members from across the country and beyond, and was an excellent opportunity to find out about suicide prevention initiatives that both the public and private sectors are delivering around Australia.

In a presentation by the Mental Health Commission of New South Wales, we were advised that Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink are providing suicide awareness training to front-line employees commencing in August this year and continuing during this month and into the future. As these individuals deal with a large section of the community they are often well placed to observe signs of someone contemplating suicide, and often face difficult situations where suicide prevention first aid skills could be potentially be life-saving. My questions are:

1. Will the minister indicate whether such training is being conducted for South Australian front-line public transport employees, either state Public Service employees or employees of private sector companies that are providing contract services on behalf of the state government?

2. If not, will the minister commit to investigate the implementation of such training programs across all front-line staff working in the provision of public transport services?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:47): I thank the honourable member for his question, and again for his very long and consistent advocacy on this issue. I will take those questions to the minister in the other place and bring back a reply on his behalf.