Tuesday, 14 November 2023

Decriminalisation of public drunkenness

Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:23): (345) My question is to the Minister for Mental Health. Minister, why weren’t the residents and the local community in St Kilda consulted regarding the opening of the sobering-up centre last Tuesday?

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:23): I thank Ms Crozier for her question. Of course the government has been in the process of building and rolling out a health-led response, as we took the decision to decriminalise public intoxication. We know that the previous laws were having a disproportionate impact on particularly Aboriginal Victorians, and we were absolutely committed to seeing these reforms through and to building an appropriate health-led response in the form of outreach services. Also Aboriginal-controlled health organisations will be playing a big role in making sure that public intoxication decriminalisation means that those individuals who need additional support are going to get that support.

The sobering-up service in St Kilda is part of that network of supports that we have put in place. It is an existing service that has operated out of that location for some decades now. It is run by an Aboriginal community health organisation, and they do have an excellent relationship with the local community around that facility. They will continue to deliver services to support Aboriginal Victorians at that particular site. Local residents have been communicated with not only by the department but also by the service provider. I would expect, as with any community health service provider right across the state, that it is incumbent on everybody in those service provider organisations to continue to make sure that they are working closely with their local communities. But I do know that this service has a long track record of providing health services to Aboriginal Victorians at that very location without any issues around the local amenity.

Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:25): Minister, the residents were communicated with four days before the opening – four days. They were given no consultation process whatsoever – they were just given something in their letterbox – and the council was not either. I mean, it is just extraordinary. Also, that current, existing site has Alcoholics Anonymous services out of it. The community are well aware what has been happening in that service. Now it is a 24/7 service. It is not even open now, as we speak. It is not even open. But my question is –

A member interjected.

Georgie CROZIER: I am just giving her some information, because she is not aware of what is going on. Minister, what modelling has been undertaken to determine that nine of the 10 sobering-up centres are for Indigenous Victorians only and to be in the sites that the government has determined?

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:26): There were a few questions in all of that, and you are indulging in your favourite topic of culture wars today. But I will say this –

Members interjecting.

Georgie Crozier: On a point of order, President, the minister might not like the questions I am asking and she might try to attack me personally, but I am asking these questions on behalf of the community. She wants to carry on and talk about culture wars. Just get back to the substance of the question.

Ingrid STITT: Thank you for gaslighting me as well. These are important services. The whole model has been led based on the data. We know – it is a fact, Ms Crozier – that the previous laws had a disproportionate impact on Aboriginal Victorians. We know where the data is across the state, and that is why we have placed those services in the areas that they are needed the most. We make no apology for doing that. In fact it was one of the key tenets of this reform.