House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-05-14 Daily Xml

Contents

PRISONER COMPLAINT, OMBUDSMAN'S REPORT

Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (15:24): My question is to the Minister for Health. Does the minister agree with the Ombudsman on page 24 of his report tabled in the house today, when he says, 'It is entirely inappropriate that prisoners requiring mental health care are denied that care, and it is most concerning that it is a result of insufficient mental health beds.'?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health and Ageing, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for Defence Industries, Minister for Veterans' Affairs) (15:24): I haven't had an opportunity to have a look.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Because he is the Minister for Corrections; he is the minister who has been dealing with this report. I haven't had an opportunity to have a look, nor has my department. I'm more than happy to have a look at it and get some advice from my department about what the Ombudsman has said that is relevant to my agency.

The SPEAKER: Frankly, member for Bragg, I think it would be a scandal had one minister shown another a draft Ombudsman's report.