Disability Services

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (15:18): I direct my question to the Minister for Human Services regarding disability services. Will the minister confirm that her agency with responsibility for disability matters, worker screening and sending to her critical incident reports: (1) has had an acting chief executive since March this year; (2) has an acting deputy chief executive; (3) has an acting chief financial officer; and (4) that the group executive director for disability reform and services has recently left the department? If so, who in the department has responsibility for disability issues that has not left or does not know if they will be in their current role next week?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (15:19): This is a really sad line of questioning from the honourable member.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: It is a sad minister who can't get staff.

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Hunter, you have asked a question. Have the decency to listen to the answer.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: The people who work in the Department of Human Services, particularly the senior executive team, are a very professional group of individuals and anybody who is fulfilling those roles I have full confidence in, whether they are acting or in substantive positions.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: No chief executive since March.

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: Since March!

The PRESIDENT: Order, the Hon. Mr Hunter!

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: The honourable member has been a minister. I am sure he has seen situations where there have been people in acting roles.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: March, Michelle.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Hunter!

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: I have every confidence in my executive team. I am not sure—

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: You haven't got a chief executive.

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: Since March.

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: —why the Labor Party would slur the department in this way. I think it is inappropriate and, quite frankly, rather desperate.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: They are slurring you by quitting. They are leaving in droves.

The PRESIDENT: Order!