Supported Accommodation

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (14:27): A supplementary arising from the original answer: the minister said, in response to the question from the Leader of the Opposition, that she or her agency communicated with stakeholders, next of kin and staff on the government's policy direction, and that they did that via written communication, being letters and emails and also phone calls. Will the minister take on—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: It's meant to be a supplementary question, not an oration.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Ridgway, I would back my understanding of standing orders ahead of yours. The Hon. Mr Hunter actually is showing courtesy on context, given that the Leader of the Opposition has asked a series of supplementaries. He is therefore bringing it back to the original answer, which is why I am allowing him some latitude. The Hon. Mr Hunter, please ask your question.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Will the minister take on notice that part of the question and bring back to the chamber copies of the written communication, being letters and emails, which she says her agency put in place to inform stakeholders, next of kin and staff of the government's change in policy in relation to the privatisation of services?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:29): I reject the term 'privatisation', but—

The Hon. K.J. Maher: What is it then?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: Well, it's the same process that the Labor Party undertook with Domiciliary Care, ASSIST and Child and Youth Services.

The PRESIDENT: Through me, minister.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: I'm sorry, Mr President—I must stop forgetting.

The PRESIDENT: You're talking to the council.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: I just love these comments from the Labor Party about privatisation when we've got the Motor Accident Commission, the forests—and they were genuine privatisations. This is a withdrawal.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Point of order: I asked a simple question. Would the minister take that part of the question on notice and bring back copies of that information?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: As I understand it, I am entitled to respond to questions from members.

The PRESIDENT: Yes, I am allowing you some latitude, minister, but ultimately come to the answer to the question.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: I just had to correct part of the record. I am happy to take whatever the scripts were or the forms of communication that took place earlier this year with all of those stakeholders for honourable members if that is their desire.