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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2024-10-31 Daily Xml
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Fredericks, Ms T.

Mr COWDREY (Colton) (14:48): My question is to the Premier. Will the Premier conduct an investigation into the death of a 26-year-old woman from Port Augusta? With your leave, sir, and that of the house I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr COWDREY: It was reported that Tegan Fredericks, who suffered from significant physical and intellectual disabilities, died on Monday. Police investigations have identified significant indicators of criminal neglect. She required ongoing care but was not an NDIS client and may well have been eligible for the scheme. The opposition has this morning called for an investigation but are yet to hear a response from the government.

The Hon. N.F. COOK (Hurtle Vale—Minister for Human Services, Minister for Seniors and Ageing Well) (14:49): I thank the member for the question. Any unexpected death is absolutely tragic, and of course all of our thoughts are with the people who loved Tegan, first responders, the community in general and anyone involved in the case.

Obviously we can't make comment on specifics, noting the ongoing major crime investigation by SAPOL, but what I can say is that immediately multiple officers and departments have been reviewing contact and service records since the incident. Early advice indicates the deceased, Ms Fredricks, was not receiving ongoing or formal services from state or federal agencies, and there had been no recent contacts raising welfare concerns.

With regard to my own agency, I am advised that Ms Fredricks was not a client of the Department of Human Services, and to the best of our knowledge was not a client of any organisation funded by the Department of Human Services. I can confirm that a report was made to the Adult Safeguarding Unit after Ms Fredricks was admitted to the Port Augusta Hospital in the past week, and my office was notified by the department on the day that that report happened.

There is a clear expectation that agencies will continue to review their records for any relevant contacts or interactions while cooperating fully with police, coronial or other investigations. As noted by police, it does not appear that the person was receiving NDIS supports, although the investigation may seek to identify others who were, or were possibly supposed to be, providing care and support.

Without making any reference to the case, all people who experience significant impacts from disability should approach the NDIS to consider their support options. The NDIS transition commenced in 2013, which began with young children in South Australia, and older age groups progressively moved into the scheme up until 2018. Since that time, the funding and delivery of disability services for those with high-level needs has been funded and regulated by the commonwealth.

This case is another reminder for everyone that if you see something, then say something. If you yourself need help, then reach out. We have a range of support services and safeguarding bodies that can provide direct help and, where necessary, intervene to ensure safety. Since 2022, our state budgets have provided more than $12 million to the Adult Safeguarding Unit, and that works closely with police and other agencies, including federal agencies that oversee quality and safeguarding in disability and aged care to respond to reports of any abuse or neglect.

Following the 2022 election, we also have invested in increasing funding to the Community Visitor Scheme. The commonwealth recently announced another $4.4 million to invest in funding to work towards a nationally consistent model for that. In regard to the current investigation, Detective Superintendent Des Bray, who is the officer in charge, yesterday said the investigation was in its early stages, and the examination of the house was expected to take several days. Detective Superintendent Bray said, and I quote:

There are significant indicators of criminal neglect, but it is not clear yet if that caused the woman's death.

Because of this there is a simultaneous criminal and coronial investigation underway that involves a significant commitment of resources.

The criminal investigation will examine the role of everyone who was involved in the provision of care to the victim and to determine if anyone is criminally responsible for the death. I expect it will take some time.

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