House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2017-04-11 Daily Xml

Contents

Oakden Mental Health Facility

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:25): Supplementary: can the minister outline to this house what actions she has taken to immediately address the cause of the sanctions and the rectification of those causes at the Oakden facility?

The Hon. L.A. VLAHOS (Taylor—Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse) (14:25): I refer the opposition to my previous ministerial statements on this matter.

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The leader is warned for the second and final time.

The Hon. L.A. VLAHOS: When I was made aware—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Has the leader heard my warning?

Mr Marshall: Yes, sir, I have.

The SPEAKER: Good.

The Hon. L.A. VLAHOS: When I was made aware of care concerns in Oakden late last year, I immediately established an independent review of the mental health services facility, led by the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist, and he has been writing a report. The report became available late yesterday. The department is reviewing it and preparing recommendations for me to act upon. The government will not be rushed. We need to do this in an appropriate and seemly way. These are frail people. We have stepped in to improve some of the care standards and continue to work cooperatively and collaboratively with the commonwealth to address all serious concerns, and we will continue to do this.