Question Time

Suicide Prevention

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (15:04): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Health and Wellbeing regarding suicide prevention.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: As was just described in the giving of a notice of motion, the Hon. John Dawkins MLC, now President of the Legislative Council, has received a national Lifetime Achievement Award from Suicide Prevention Australia for the years of work and advocacy in this area. The award was officially announced today and was accompanied by a statement:

Suicide Prevention Australia is delighted to announce the Hon. John Dawkins MLC as the recipient of the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest of accolades for outstanding and sustained contribution to the suicide prevention sector. It is presented at the discretion of the Suicide Prevention Australia Board.

The Minister for Health and Wellbeing has often praised the work, quite rightly, of the Hon. John Dawkins MLC in this chamber in response to questions or contributions. Most recently, just after World Suicide Prevention Day last year, the Minister for Health and Wellbeing said, 'I again recognise that the Hon. Mr Dawkins has been a long-term, passionate advocate for suicide prevention, and I welcome his continued energy in this area of public policy.'

We understand that staff who supported the Hon. John Dawkins in this role have been told to no longer take direction and have been informed that the Hon. John Dawkins will no longer have a role as the Premier's suicide prevention advocate. My question to the minister is: why would the Hon. John Dawkins be sacked from a role like this on a day like this, and who is better qualified in this parliament to undertake this work?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (15:06): Immediately, I doubt the facts of the honourable member's statement. The honourable member suggests that most recently I congratulated Mr Dawkins for his contribution to suicide prevention a year ago. I am sure that I would have done it repeated times since. The fact of the matter is that I congratulate the President on the conferral on him of a lifetime award by Suicide Prevention Australia. His contribution to this area is long and distinguished, and that award is truly earned.

In terms of the Premier's Advocate for Suicide Prevention, the honourable member may wish to ask a question of the Premier, because clearly, by its very name, it is not a position that is in my gift. Sufficient to say that it is my understanding that it would not be appropriate for a President of the Legislative Council to hold a government appointment such as that. I am disappointed that the events of this week mean that the Hon. Mr Dawkins will no longer be able to continue in that role, but I have no doubt that the Hon. Mr Dawkins' contribution to suicide prevention—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! I wish to hear the minister.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: As I was saying, I am disappointed that the events of this week mean that the Hon. Mr Dawkins will no longer be able to continue in the role as the Premier's Advocate for Suicide Prevention, but I am sure that the Hon. Mr Dawkins' contribution—

The Hon. I.K. Hunter interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Hunter will remain silent.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: But I am sure that Mr Dawkins' contribution to suicide prevention will continue.