Page 3521 - Week 13 - Thursday, 26 November 1992
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MS FOLLETT: Madam Speaker, if Mr Moore refers to the same matter which I have in mind, his facts are perhaps a little bit confused. It is true to say that I had correspondence from Magistrate Warren Nicholl about a particular case which he was hearing in the ACT. That case was to do with a young person who was mentally dysfunctional and who had come before the criminal justice system. In relation to that young person, I think it is fair to say that a number of options have been tried out in the ACT in order to make proper provision for that person's care and also for the care of the community. The options in this case have included some that are quite resource intensive - for example, accommodation in a two-person house, with nursing care. Another option that was tried was a unit with, again, around-the-clock support and supervision, in that case provided by Barnardo's. Those relatively resource-intensive options did not prove adequate, so we are faced with a situation where a particular kind of care needs to be provided.
Madam Speaker, there has been quite an amount of liaison between officers of the relevant ACT Government agencies in order to develop appropriate accommodation and support options for this particular person. I was able to advise Magistrate Nicholl earlier this week that an option had presented itself, which was to provide accommodation in a specialist unit at Kenmore, and that that appeared to be an option which would suit this particular case. I am not aware whether that option was taken up, but I can check and find out whether that is the case.
On the general question of mentally dysfunctional people, I think that this Government has taken a range of options to support those people which are on the record. Some of the things which we have done include the establishment of the Guardianship and Management of Property Tribunal and the establishment of the Community Advocate position. There were some initiatives also in the current budget, the 1992-93 budget, including the Mental Health Review Tribunal and a case management scheme, an intensive care team for the seriously mentally ill, and an outreach service for adolescents with mental health problems. I think all of those initiatives have some bearing on the case that Mr Moore has in mind.
I do acknowledge that there are grave difficulties in dealing with what is a quite small number of people who have particular needs and who are in danger of falling between the services currently provided. In this case we have found an option which is actually in New South Wales. As I said, I have drawn that to the magistrate's attention. Madam Speaker, the Attorney-General advises me that that option has been taken up and that that person is in Kenmore now.
Fluoridated Toothpaste
MR STEVENSON: My question is to the Minister for Health. The Standing Committee on Social Policy, in their inquiry into fluoridation 1989 to 1991, recommended in paragraph 10.90:
the ACT Government initiate proposals through its membership on various interstate councils and make direct representations to toothpaste manufacturers to:
. make unfluoridated toothpaste readily available at prices comparable with fluoridated toothpaste; and
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