Wednesday, 31 August 2022

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Thomas Embling Hospital patient leave

Ms MAXWELL, Mr LEANE
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Questions without notice and ministers statements

Thomas Embling Hospital patient leave

 Ms MAXWELL (Northern Victoria) (12:00): My question is to the Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy, representing the Minister for Mental Health in the other place. Minister, we know that perpetrators of horrific fatal offences who have successfully used a mental impairment defence to avoid a prison sentence are usually committed to a nominal term of 25 years at Thomas Embling Hospital but can receive day release after only a couple of years. Reports that these perpetrators are able to hire sex workers, use dating apps and harass their victims through social media while in Thomas Embling are a real concern to the safety of the community, particularly because so often their identities can be protected by suppression orders. Despite the government being reported as denying that sex workers were delivering services within the facility, there are other reports that Forensicare even considered tendering for a conjugal room for this purpose. Will the government initiate an inquiry into these matters to confirm what is actually going on, to strengthen the rules and processes and publicly respond?

Ms Maxwell: Mental health.

Mr LEANE: Mental health. I am with you now, sorry. You threw me at the start, but you were right. I will make sure that Ms Maxwell’s question is directed to the Minister for Mental Health and ensure that she gets a response in line with what is prescribed in the standing orders.

 Ms MAXWELL (Northern Victoria) (12:02): Thank you, Minister, for that. I am concerned how safety will be managed for sex workers and the general public, whether that is for sexual services or social contact through a dating app, with respect to patients who are perpetrators of serious violence. Could the government advise what risk assessment and management process, if any, is undertaken in this respect?

 Mr LEANE (Eastern Metropolitan—Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy, Minister for Veterans) (12:02): Thanks, Ms Maxwell, for your supplementary question, which I will ensure the Minister for Mental Health receives and you get a response as per what is prescribed in the standing orders.

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