Pearce, Ms D.A.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:51): My question is to the Minister for Human Services regarding disability services. Minister, can you outline the details of any conversations you have had with any members of the family of Debbie Pearce, who died after an incident in state-run care, for which you are responsible—for which you are responsible?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:51): I will quite openly say that I have not directly spoken to the family, but my department, which has a—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister has been asked a question. The minister listened in silence; you will listen to the answer in silence.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Ms Bourke and the Hon. Ms Scriven, you do not speak while I am speaking. Minister.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: Which has had a—

The Hon. K.J. Maher: Not once?

The PRESIDENT: The honourable Leader of the Opposition, I am concerned about your attention span. I have just given a direction; listen to it. Minister.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: My department has a relationship with all of the families who are within our care, so the contact with them is entirely appropriate, that they should continue to be a point of contact for these families.

The Hon. I.K. Hunter: Someone died and you didn't pick up the phone.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Hunter!

The Hon. C.M. Scriven: They don't even deserve a call from you; is that what you're saying?

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Ms Scriven!

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Please sit down. Are we going to listen to the answer or are we going to just constantly interrupt so that there is no answer? Otherwise we will just move on. Minister, please continue.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: In contrast to the shadow minister for human services, I am a little bit disturbed that we are still trying to get to the bottom of what those conversations may have been with the family in the context of whether they were misled or misunderstood; that she may have been conducting her own investigation into this matter. So I am quite concerned on a range of levels about the activities of the member for Hurtle Vale, allegations—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: —that have been raised in inappropriate circumstances, matters which are factually incorrect, which have been placed on the public record inappropriately, and which have subsequently been provided to the media.