Disability Services

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (15:09): My question is to the Minister for Human Services in relation to disability services. When the minister received the email outlining the circumstances of the death of Debra Pearce in her department's state-run disability care, precisely what did she do? Did the minister seek that immediate action be taken? Did she ensure that practices or circumstances changed to protect those in state-run disability care? Minister, were you even curious enough to do anymore than simply open and immediately dismiss that email?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (15:09): Look, I thank the honourable member for his question. I think it is worth reminding the chamber that the information that I have been provided, which I have said previously, indicated that police involvement was not required in this matter.

The Hon. K.J. Maher: Previously you pleaded complete ignorance.

The PRESIDENT: The honourable Leader of the Opposition!

The Hon. K.J. Maher interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The honourable Leader of the Opposition, you asked a question. The minister will answer the question. You will listen in silence, please.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: In respect that there are a number of processes in the Incident Management Unit—

The Hon. K.J. Maher: What?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: Well, I outlined them all yesterday. I went through them all yesterday. I think there are 10 in the process that I provided to the chamber. I have made sure that those processes were followed up to my satisfaction. Now, if the honourable member does have additional information, if there are allegations, then those should be provided to the government straightaway, and I would be very happy to take them on.

The Hon. K.J. Maher: And you can ignore them like you've done everything else. Open an email and ignore it. That'd be really great, wouldn't it?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: Well, the member has introduced a whole lot of information, which he alleges—

The PRESIDENT: Minister, please don't respond to interjections. They are out of order.

The Hon. K.J. Maher interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Now, the honourable Leader of the Opposition—

The Hon. K.J. Maher interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The honourable Leader of the Opposition, order! Enough. Minister.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: Which he alleges. Now, there are particular circumstances. If I was to go into the detail of this, that would be in breach of duty of care.

The Hon. K.J. Maher: You ignored the email; you've admitted as much.

The PRESIDENT: The honourable Leader of the Opposition, enough.

The Hon. K.J. Maher interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Minister, please continue. The honourable Leader of the Opposition, listen in silence.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: Through his disorderly interjections, the honourable member is going to personal details of this case, which I have said—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Hunter, don't start.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: You're the responsible minister.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Hunter!

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: What action did you take?

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Hunter!

The Hon. K.J. Maher: You can't name a single thing you did.

The PRESIDENT: The honourable Leader of the Opposition! Minister, sit down, please. We are not going to continue if you won't let the minister give an answer to your question. I will move on. This is the last chance. Minister, do you have anything further to add?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: No, sir.

The PRESIDENT: Thank you. I call the Hon. Mr Hood.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Sit down, the Hon. Mr Hood. Order! We are not continuing until there is silence.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Minister for Human Services, enough. The Leader of the Opposition, enough.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Enough! The Hon. Mr Hood.