House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2017-05-30 Daily Xml

Contents

Oakden Mental Health Facility

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:56): Given that the request came to you on 14 October, how many months elapsed between the request and the granting of the meeting with the Spriggs family?

The Hon. L.A. VLAHOS (Taylor—Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse) (14:56): We know that important—

Mr Marshall: How many months?

The SPEAKER: The leader has asked his question. Minister.

The Hon. L.A. VLAHOS: It is very important that once an independent review is put in place it is allowed to run its course. Once that document, the Oakden review, was taken to cabinet, we fully released it and we adopted the full six recommendations. We are in the process of assiduously implementing that at the moment, and I have updated the house about that today.

What we do know is that it is a testament to the Spriggs family that they had the courage to come forward and tell people the story that they did with the support of the community visitor. Without them coming forward, we still potentially do not know what we wouldn't have if they had not stepped forward. I am not going to interfere with an independent review. I didn't in this case. It came forward, we went to cabinet, we have adopted all six recommendations and we are getting on with fixing up Oakden and moving people to Northgate.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The members for Kavel and Finniss are called to order. The house and the public will make up their mind whether the question has been answered. The member for Kavel will not offer an opinion other than in accordance with standing orders. Leader.