Friday, 14 August 2026

 Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:15): (1423) My question is to the Minister for Mental Health. The Austin Health child inpatient unit is a 12-bed acute mental health unit for children up to 12 years old. It is the only statewide service that cares for and treats children up to 12 years old with severe or complex mental health problems and severe difficulties with emotions, behaviours and relationships. The child inpatient unit has been shut down following allegations of bullying and use of force on the primary school aged inpatients. Minister, is Safer Care Victoria undertaking an investigation into unsafe care, harm and the use of force on children admitted to the Austin Health child inpatient unit not just over this recent case but over the past three years?

 Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ambulance Services, Special Minister of State) (12:16): I thank Ms Crozier for her question. Of course these are incredibly concerning allegations. What we have heard is unacceptable. Everyone deserves to feel safe, whether they are working in our mental health system or whether they are seeking care in our health services. What I can advise the house is that the health service has quite rightly taken immediate action and is conducting a thorough review for what has been –

Nick McGowan: So you have no idea?

Ingrid STITT: I have got a lot of ideas about this, and I think they are very serious issues, Mr McGowan. As is my practice, though, I will not be providing details about individuals. This is a very, very concerning set of circumstances, and I do not want to cut across the review that is already underway. It is important to allow those processes to take their course, but I do support the strong action of the health service in immediately taking a number of steps. The health service and my department will take any findings very seriously. I can also advise the house that the Department of Health and Safer Care Victoria have been advised, and there has been a mandatory notification made to the Commission for Children and Young People, as is absolutely appropriate. It is important that we allow these processes to take their course without further comment. I would also note that I am very mindful of the privacy of both consumers and families in this facility and of course the staff involved. I am advised that there have been a number of staff stood down while these investigations take place. Admissions for that unit have been paused, but arrangements have been put in place for referrals to other suitable health services. I am very supportive of the strong and immediate action that the health services have taken in light of these serious allegations.

 Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:19): Thank you for that response. Minister, what is the future of the Austin Health child inpatient unit?

 Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ambulance Services, Special Minister of State) (12:19): As I said in my answer to your substantive question, Ms Crozier, it is important that we allow these processes to take their course and for these matters to be thoroughly investigated. I am not going to cut across that process.