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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2019-06-18 Daily Xml
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Mental Health Services

The Hon. C. BONAROS (15:04): Does the minister accept that groups like the Mental Health Coalition had cause to be concerned because when the 25 per cent in question was first discussed with them it was discussed in very general terms, so they weren't fully aware of the specific cuts that were going to be made and to which areas? I am alluding to the former government's discussions with those groups.

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (15:04): With all due respect, I am not in a position to speak for the former government, but I think I have already commented—

The Hon. K.J. Maher interjecting:

The Hon. S.G. WADE: Adolescent. Just quietly, I can't actually channel Leesa Vlahos, but if that is what the honourable member thinks I am capable of doing, he's wrong. What I will say to the honourable member—and I think have already said this before—is that I think, in some of the early stages, some of the communication was poor. The Chief Psychiatrist and the chief executive of SA Health have written strong and, I believe, very clear letters to both provide reassurance to NGOs that this is not a cut, that this is a transition of funding, and to provide assurances in relation to continuity of support.

I think it would be fair to say that, particularly in the early stages, there was concern that the funding might transfer to NDIS at the establishment of eligibility. Of course, there were a lot of concerns amongst NGO providers that that wouldn't allow for the orderly transition of clients. The letter from the chief executive of SA Health, dated 12 June, specifically provides reassurance that the NDIS plan needs to be activated, not just eligibility-established.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Ms Bonaros, a supplementary.

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