Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner

The Hon. C. BONAROS (15:05): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Health and Wellbeing a question relating to the Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner.

Leave granted.

The Hon. C. BONAROS: I will start by qualifying my question by not seeking the disclosure of confidential information, as has been referred to today by the Minister for Human Services. I am advised that there are a number of us who have received information regarding deaths in the health setting or in the disability setting. While we do not want to comment on the specific individuals involved, nor Ms Smith's specific issues, I think it is enough to say that we are all deeply saddened by any suggestion that these deaths are occurring.

I am advised that an independent investigation was commissioned by the former health and community services complaints commissioner into a number of cases where people had been seriously injured or assaulted, including instances of a lack of appropriate care and support, and that a number of those had actually resulted in deaths. I am further advised that the outcomes of that investigation were to be made public by the former commissioner, but that his replacement has chosen not to release them publicly. My questions to the minister are:

1. Is the minister aware whether the investigation I have referred to was commissioned by the former health and community services complaints commissioner into cases where people had been seriously injured or assaulted, and any resulting deaths?

2. Can the minister confirm that the investigation took place and, if so, how many deaths it details?

3. Is the minister aware whether the current commissioner is refusing to publicly release the findings of that investigation, contrary to the former commissioner's intent to do so?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (15:07): I thank the honourable member for her questions. I presume the honourable member is referring to an own motion investigation that was initiated by the previous commissioner for health and community services complaints that relates, as I understand it, to seven cases of people with a disability in acute settings. It is what I understand is called an 'own motion investigation' and, in the context of the investigation, expert advice has been sought.

Contrary to the honourable member's understanding, my understanding is that the report hasn't been concluded, that the own motion investigation is ongoing. However, I will certainly seek further advice and provide that to the honourable member.