Von Einem, Mr B.S.

I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Correctional Services a question on the subject of her ministerial statement yesterday.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: In her ministerial statement yesterday, the minister advised that the doctor in question who had prescribed a sex performance-enhancing medication to Bevan Spencer von Einem has been suspended pending the outcome of an investigation. In relation to all the allegations relating to the treatment or otherwise of Bevan Spencer von Einem in the prison system, will the minister advise whether any other staff of either the Prison Health Service or the Department for Correctional Services have been stood down pending an investigation?

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Correctional Services): As I placed on the record yesterday, the Prison Health Service is administered by the Department of Health in our state prisons. I know of no other doctor, at this time, who has been stood down. As I also said yesterday, every investigation also aims to identify improvements in systems, or new processes or policies, and maybe even new amendment legislation. Regarding these allegations—obviously there are several investigations happening at this time—I might have said that they occurred between the period 1999 to 2003, but I am advised today that further information has led to the investigations now going back as far as 1996. So, between 1996 and 2003, we are looking at seven years of a Liberal government.

I would say to those opposite not to try to take the moral high ground. My advice is that the Cialis drug referred to in the ministerial statement delivered today in the other place was actually a Liberal policy during the time of the Hon. Dean Brown. This is Liberal policy which we have since fixed.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: Following on from that answer, will the minister advise whether she is confirming that no Department for Correctional Services officers have currently been stood down as a result of any current investigations?

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: I should place on the record that there are three investigations occurring at this time. One of those investigations which relates to corrections I referred to last week in the council.

The Hon. R.I. Lucas interjecting:

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: This has nothing to do with the Cialis drug. The police investigation, which is also occurring at this time, is totally out of my hands, as it should be. The third investigation that is occurring, based on the information that was provided to us last Friday, relates to the Cialis drug and, as has been put on the record in this place, a medical practitioner has been stood down pending that investigation.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: I ask a supplementary question. Will the minister confirm whether any of the officers who are currently under investigation have been suspended?

The PRESIDENT: That is hardly part of the original answer.

An honourable member interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: It is not part of the original answer, anyway.