Eating Disorders Association of South Australia

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT (14:58): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the minister representing the Minister for Mental Health questions about the cessation of the Eating Disorders Association of South Australia (EDASA).

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: As members are probably well aware, there have been many concerns in the community since EDASA announced the cessation of its services in November last year. As I understand it, EDASA had not received any support or funding from the state government over the previous three years before its closure. An open market tender call was undertaken in 2012-13 for non-government eating disorders support services and, as result, EDASA's tender was unsuccessful and the tender was awarded to Centacare.

EDASA offered regular support groups for those with eating disorders and their friends and families. The association also presented to schools, parents and professionals through its prevention and health promotion programs and youth forums. Since the closure of EDASA I understand that there are concerns in the community that the services previously offered by EDASA have not been replaced to the same standard. My questions to the minister are:

1. What education about eating disorders is currently running for young people in particular and, again, particularly in schools?

2. Does the government recognise and acknowledge the benefit of providing eating disorder prevention services to young people for their physical health, mental health and positive body image?

3. Will the government consider including prevention services in future eating disorder tender criteria?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) (15:00): I thank the honourable member for her most important questions. I will take those questions to the Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse in another place around the subject matter of the provision of services around eating disorders and positive body image and seek a response on her behalf.