Minda Incorporated

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (14:22): My question is to the Minister for Human Services regarding disability. What does the minister have to say in response to reports that a person with Down syndrome at Minda was locked in a room for upwards of five hours? How does the minister respond to comments from a medical practitioner who previously worked at Minda and who spoke on ABC radio this morning saying:

There was screaming that I could hear and being part of the rich community that is disability, different noises are just part of our universe and that's okay, but these were screams of distress. When I tried to investigate, I was told by a support worker that was meant to be responsible for this person that it was alright to accept these screams of distress.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:23): I thank the honourable member for her question. Of course, we find any abuse or neglect or alleged abuse or neglect completely unacceptable. Locking someone in their room for five hours, as has been alleged, would clearly be in breach of restrictive practice matters; however, a really important point needs to be made in relation to these allegations. I note that Minda themselves have said that they find it unacceptable that images that were allegedly taken in April have been brought to light some six months later.

As I have regularly advised the Labor Party and particularly their shadow minister, if there are any matters that are of alleged abuse or neglect, whether they are proven or not, they need to be referred immediately to the appropriate authorities. In this case, that is the NDIS commission. I would be very concerned if there was anybody who was in receipt of any information who had not taken those steps. I think that would be very unprofessional of anybody to have not taken steps to refer these matters to the commission immediately for action.