Disability Services

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:40): Supplementary arising from the original answer that referred to accommodation services: can the minister give an update in addition to what she said, many weeks ago, in relation to where the government is in withdrawing from these public services and transferring them to the non-government sector?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:40): I outlined then what the process was to be going forward, that we were consulting with the stakeholders. That includes, obviously, making communication with clients, with the staff and with the families, and a range of external stakeholders are aware because they would have seen newsletters and so forth. Those discussions are taking place. I think I outlined at the time that it was likely to take several months before any decisions would be made. No decisions have certainly been made, because we are proceeding as we said we would, which was to engage in respectful consultation. It is a very complex process and it is continuing.