Aged Care

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:13): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question without notice to the Deputy Premier—and might I congratulate him on his appointment—and Leader of the Government in this place on the topic of restrictive practices and human rights.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Last week, the ABC revealed that a federal regulator had found that restraints were being used inappropriately at a South Australian government-run aged-care home at Northgate. The centre looks after South Australians with dementia and complex disabilities. I understand that the regulator first identified the problems in November of last year, but they were only revealed last week as the result of an ABC investigation. My question to the Deputy Premier therefore is:

1. Why did his government sit on the regulator's report for almost 12 months without revealing that its home at Northgate had been under investigation?

2. Doesn't this sorry episode underscore the need for a human rights act to protect the rights of vulnerable South Australians like those residing at Northgate?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Deputy Premier, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (15:14): I thank the honourable member for his question. I think, regarding the last part of it, the call for a human rights instrument, we thanked and noted the Social Development Committee of this parliament for their recent report that did a lot of work in reviewing instruments that protect human rights, particularly around Australia. It is something we will consider. I want to be clear, though, that we do not have a policy, as a Labor government, to introduce a human rights piece of legislation. But we will certainly consider properly, as any responsible government should, that report.

In relation to specific issues to do with the report on aged care, I don't have details on that. I suspect it falls somewhere between Health and Human Services. But I will refer that to my colleagues in another place to bring back a reply for the honourable member.