❓ Opposition questions alleged budget cuts to mental health services in the southern suburbs, prompting a denial from the Minister who accuses the questioner of spreading misinformation and defends the government's mental health strategy.
AnsweredQoN 750Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES — BUDGET CUTS IN SOUTHERN SUBURBS
I refer to media reports on the weekend that the Department of Health is contemplating cuts of up to 13 per cent in mental health services in the southern suburbs. (1) How many full-time equivalents will be lost as a result of these cuts? (2) What action will the minister be taking to ensure that these cuts do not affect front-line services? (3) Will the minister provide the house with full details of the cuts and when he will be making them? Dr G.G. JACOBS
I refer to media reports on the weekend that the Department of Health is contemplating cuts of up to 13 per cent in mental health services in the southern suburbs. (1) How many full-time equivalents will be lost as a result of these cuts? (2) What action will the minister be taking to ensure that these cuts do not affect front-line services? (3) Will the minister provide the house with full details of the cuts and when he will be making them? Dr G.G. JACOBS
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) I recognise in the gallery my electorate staff from Esperance, Pat and Julie, and my son and his wife, Angel, who have returned from Beijing after 10 years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : My position, as is that of the Minister for Health, is that cuts to front-line services and particularly to mental health staffing is unacceptable. There has been no directive from the Director General of Health, or from either the Minister for Health or the Minister for Mental Health, for any cuts to front-line services. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is becoming a serial accuser of axing and he talks about 13 per cent. I do not know where he is getting his information from — Mr E.S. Ripper : From a very reliable source. Dr G.G. JACOBS : I do not know where he is getting his information from, but his speculation is wrong. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is developing a reputation in this house for speculating and finding bits of paper that fall off the back of a truck, and he continues to throw rocks about a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
(1) How many full-time equivalents will be lost as a result of these cuts? (2) What action will the minister be taking to ensure that these cuts do not affect front-line services? (3) Will the minister provide the house with full details of the cuts and when he will be making them? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: (1)-(3) I recognise in the gallery my electorate staff from Esperance, Pat and Julie, and my son and his wife, Angel, who have returned from Beijing after 10 years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : My position, as is that of the Minister for Health, is that cuts to front-line services and particularly to mental health staffing is unacceptable. There has been no directive from the Director General of Health, or from either the Minister for Health or the Minister for Mental Health, for any cuts to front-line services. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is becoming a serial accuser of axing and he talks about 13 per cent. I do not know where he is getting his information from — Mr E.S. Ripper : From a very reliable source. Dr G.G. JACOBS : I do not know where he is getting his information from, but his speculation is wrong. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is developing a reputation in this house for speculating and finding bits of paper that fall off the back of a truck, and he continues to throw rocks about a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
(2) What action will the minister be taking to ensure that these cuts do not affect front-line services? (3) Will the minister provide the house with full details of the cuts and when he will be making them? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: (1)-(3) I recognise in the gallery my electorate staff from Esperance, Pat and Julie, and my son and his wife, Angel, who have returned from Beijing after 10 years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : My position, as is that of the Minister for Health, is that cuts to front-line services and particularly to mental health staffing is unacceptable. There has been no directive from the Director General of Health, or from either the Minister for Health or the Minister for Mental Health, for any cuts to front-line services. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is becoming a serial accuser of axing and he talks about 13 per cent. I do not know where he is getting his information from — Mr E.S. Ripper : From a very reliable source. Dr G.G. JACOBS : I do not know where he is getting his information from, but his speculation is wrong. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is developing a reputation in this house for speculating and finding bits of paper that fall off the back of a truck, and he continues to throw rocks about a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
(3) Will the minister provide the house with full details of the cuts and when he will be making them? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: (1)-(3) I recognise in the gallery my electorate staff from Esperance, Pat and Julie, and my son and his wife, Angel, who have returned from Beijing after 10 years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : My position, as is that of the Minister for Health, is that cuts to front-line services and particularly to mental health staffing is unacceptable. There has been no directive from the Director General of Health, or from either the Minister for Health or the Minister for Mental Health, for any cuts to front-line services. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is becoming a serial accuser of axing and he talks about 13 per cent. I do not know where he is getting his information from — Mr E.S. Ripper : From a very reliable source. Dr G.G. JACOBS : I do not know where he is getting his information from, but his speculation is wrong. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is developing a reputation in this house for speculating and finding bits of paper that fall off the back of a truck, and he continues to throw rocks about a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: (1)-(3) I recognise in the gallery my electorate staff from Esperance, Pat and Julie, and my son and his wife, Angel, who have returned from Beijing after 10 years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : My position, as is that of the Minister for Health, is that cuts to front-line services and particularly to mental health staffing is unacceptable. There has been no directive from the Director General of Health, or from either the Minister for Health or the Minister for Mental Health, for any cuts to front-line services. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is becoming a serial accuser of axing and he talks about 13 per cent. I do not know where he is getting his information from — Mr E.S. Ripper : From a very reliable source. Dr G.G. JACOBS : I do not know where he is getting his information from, but his speculation is wrong. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is developing a reputation in this house for speculating and finding bits of paper that fall off the back of a truck, and he continues to throw rocks about a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
(1)-(3) I recognise in the gallery my electorate staff from Esperance, Pat and Julie, and my son and his wife, Angel, who have returned from Beijing after 10 years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : My position, as is that of the Minister for Health, is that cuts to front-line services and particularly to mental health staffing is unacceptable. There has been no directive from the Director General of Health, or from either the Minister for Health or the Minister for Mental Health, for any cuts to front-line services. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is becoming a serial accuser of axing and he talks about 13 per cent. I do not know where he is getting his information from — Mr E.S. Ripper : From a very reliable source. Dr G.G. JACOBS : I do not know where he is getting his information from, but his speculation is wrong. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is developing a reputation in this house for speculating and finding bits of paper that fall off the back of a truck, and he continues to throw rocks about a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : My position, as is that of the Minister for Health, is that cuts to front-line services and particularly to mental health staffing is unacceptable. There has been no directive from the Director General of Health, or from either the Minister for Health or the Minister for Mental Health, for any cuts to front-line services. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is becoming a serial accuser of axing and he talks about 13 per cent. I do not know where he is getting his information from — Mr E.S. Ripper : From a very reliable source. Dr G.G. JACOBS : I do not know where he is getting his information from, but his speculation is wrong. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is developing a reputation in this house for speculating and finding bits of paper that fall off the back of a truck, and he continues to throw rocks about a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : My position, as is that of the Minister for Health, is that cuts to front-line services and particularly to mental health staffing is unacceptable. There has been no directive from the Director General of Health, or from either the Minister for Health or the Minister for Mental Health, for any cuts to front-line services. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is becoming a serial accuser of axing and he talks about 13 per cent. I do not know where he is getting his information from — Mr E.S. Ripper : From a very reliable source. Dr G.G. JACOBS : I do not know where he is getting his information from, but his speculation is wrong. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is developing a reputation in this house for speculating and finding bits of paper that fall off the back of a truck, and he continues to throw rocks about a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : My position, as is that of the Minister for Health, is that cuts to front-line services and particularly to mental health staffing is unacceptable. There has been no directive from the Director General of Health, or from either the Minister for Health or the Minister for Mental Health, for any cuts to front-line services. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is becoming a serial accuser of axing and he talks about 13 per cent. I do not know where he is getting his information from — Mr E.S. Ripper : From a very reliable source. Dr G.G. JACOBS : I do not know where he is getting his information from, but his speculation is wrong. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is developing a reputation in this house for speculating and finding bits of paper that fall off the back of a truck, and he continues to throw rocks about a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is becoming a serial accuser of axing and he talks about 13 per cent. I do not know where he is getting his information from — Mr E.S. Ripper : From a very reliable source. Dr G.G. JACOBS : I do not know where he is getting his information from, but his speculation is wrong. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is developing a reputation in this house for speculating and finding bits of paper that fall off the back of a truck, and he continues to throw rocks about a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Mr E.S. Ripper : From a very reliable source. Dr G.G. JACOBS : I do not know where he is getting his information from, but his speculation is wrong. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is developing a reputation in this house for speculating and finding bits of paper that fall off the back of a truck, and he continues to throw rocks about a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : I do not know where he is getting his information from, but his speculation is wrong. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is developing a reputation in this house for speculating and finding bits of paper that fall off the back of a truck, and he continues to throw rocks about a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
(1) How many full-time equivalents will be lost as a result of these cuts? (2) What action will the minister be taking to ensure that these cuts do not affect front-line services? (3) Will the minister provide the house with full details of the cuts and when he will be making them? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: (1)-(3) I recognise in the gallery my electorate staff from Esperance, Pat and Julie, and my son and his wife, Angel, who have returned from Beijing after 10 years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : My position, as is that of the Minister for Health, is that cuts to front-line services and particularly to mental health staffing is unacceptable. There has been no directive from the Director General of Health, or from either the Minister for Health or the Minister for Mental Health, for any cuts to front-line services. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is becoming a serial accuser of axing and he talks about 13 per cent. I do not know where he is getting his information from — Mr E.S. Ripper : From a very reliable source. Dr G.G. JACOBS : I do not know where he is getting his information from, but his speculation is wrong. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is developing a reputation in this house for speculating and finding bits of paper that fall off the back of a truck, and he continues to throw rocks about a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
(2) What action will the minister be taking to ensure that these cuts do not affect front-line services? (3) Will the minister provide the house with full details of the cuts and when he will be making them? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: (1)-(3) I recognise in the gallery my electorate staff from Esperance, Pat and Julie, and my son and his wife, Angel, who have returned from Beijing after 10 years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : My position, as is that of the Minister for Health, is that cuts to front-line services and particularly to mental health staffing is unacceptable. There has been no directive from the Director General of Health, or from either the Minister for Health or the Minister for Mental Health, for any cuts to front-line services. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is becoming a serial accuser of axing and he talks about 13 per cent. I do not know where he is getting his information from — Mr E.S. Ripper : From a very reliable source. Dr G.G. JACOBS : I do not know where he is getting his information from, but his speculation is wrong. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is developing a reputation in this house for speculating and finding bits of paper that fall off the back of a truck, and he continues to throw rocks about a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
(3) Will the minister provide the house with full details of the cuts and when he will be making them? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: (1)-(3) I recognise in the gallery my electorate staff from Esperance, Pat and Julie, and my son and his wife, Angel, who have returned from Beijing after 10 years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : My position, as is that of the Minister for Health, is that cuts to front-line services and particularly to mental health staffing is unacceptable. There has been no directive from the Director General of Health, or from either the Minister for Health or the Minister for Mental Health, for any cuts to front-line services. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is becoming a serial accuser of axing and he talks about 13 per cent. I do not know where he is getting his information from — Mr E.S. Ripper : From a very reliable source. Dr G.G. JACOBS : I do not know where he is getting his information from, but his speculation is wrong. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is developing a reputation in this house for speculating and finding bits of paper that fall off the back of a truck, and he continues to throw rocks about a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: (1)-(3) I recognise in the gallery my electorate staff from Esperance, Pat and Julie, and my son and his wife, Angel, who have returned from Beijing after 10 years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : My position, as is that of the Minister for Health, is that cuts to front-line services and particularly to mental health staffing is unacceptable. There has been no directive from the Director General of Health, or from either the Minister for Health or the Minister for Mental Health, for any cuts to front-line services. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is becoming a serial accuser of axing and he talks about 13 per cent. I do not know where he is getting his information from — Mr E.S. Ripper : From a very reliable source. Dr G.G. JACOBS : I do not know where he is getting his information from, but his speculation is wrong. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is developing a reputation in this house for speculating and finding bits of paper that fall off the back of a truck, and he continues to throw rocks about a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
(1)-(3) I recognise in the gallery my electorate staff from Esperance, Pat and Julie, and my son and his wife, Angel, who have returned from Beijing after 10 years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : My position, as is that of the Minister for Health, is that cuts to front-line services and particularly to mental health staffing is unacceptable. There has been no directive from the Director General of Health, or from either the Minister for Health or the Minister for Mental Health, for any cuts to front-line services. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is becoming a serial accuser of axing and he talks about 13 per cent. I do not know where he is getting his information from — Mr E.S. Ripper : From a very reliable source. Dr G.G. JACOBS : I do not know where he is getting his information from, but his speculation is wrong. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is developing a reputation in this house for speculating and finding bits of paper that fall off the back of a truck, and he continues to throw rocks about a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : My position, as is that of the Minister for Health, is that cuts to front-line services and particularly to mental health staffing is unacceptable. There has been no directive from the Director General of Health, or from either the Minister for Health or the Minister for Mental Health, for any cuts to front-line services. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is becoming a serial accuser of axing and he talks about 13 per cent. I do not know where he is getting his information from — Mr E.S. Ripper : From a very reliable source. Dr G.G. JACOBS : I do not know where he is getting his information from, but his speculation is wrong. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is developing a reputation in this house for speculating and finding bits of paper that fall off the back of a truck, and he continues to throw rocks about a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : My position, as is that of the Minister for Health, is that cuts to front-line services and particularly to mental health staffing is unacceptable. There has been no directive from the Director General of Health, or from either the Minister for Health or the Minister for Mental Health, for any cuts to front-line services. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is becoming a serial accuser of axing and he talks about 13 per cent. I do not know where he is getting his information from — Mr E.S. Ripper : From a very reliable source. Dr G.G. JACOBS : I do not know where he is getting his information from, but his speculation is wrong. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is developing a reputation in this house for speculating and finding bits of paper that fall off the back of a truck, and he continues to throw rocks about a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : My position, as is that of the Minister for Health, is that cuts to front-line services and particularly to mental health staffing is unacceptable. There has been no directive from the Director General of Health, or from either the Minister for Health or the Minister for Mental Health, for any cuts to front-line services. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is becoming a serial accuser of axing and he talks about 13 per cent. I do not know where he is getting his information from — Mr E.S. Ripper : From a very reliable source. Dr G.G. JACOBS : I do not know where he is getting his information from, but his speculation is wrong. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is developing a reputation in this house for speculating and finding bits of paper that fall off the back of a truck, and he continues to throw rocks about a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is becoming a serial accuser of axing and he talks about 13 per cent. I do not know where he is getting his information from — Mr E.S. Ripper : From a very reliable source. Dr G.G. JACOBS : I do not know where he is getting his information from, but his speculation is wrong. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is developing a reputation in this house for speculating and finding bits of paper that fall off the back of a truck, and he continues to throw rocks about a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Mr E.S. Ripper : From a very reliable source. Dr G.G. JACOBS : I do not know where he is getting his information from, but his speculation is wrong. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is developing a reputation in this house for speculating and finding bits of paper that fall off the back of a truck, and he continues to throw rocks about a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : I do not know where he is getting his information from, but his speculation is wrong. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is developing a reputation in this house for speculating and finding bits of paper that fall off the back of a truck, and he continues to throw rocks about a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : This was the man who stood in this house and said that Warwick’s Andrew Relph Centre program for schools was to be axed. He seems to get half the information and — Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Ms M.M. Quirk : Reconfigured! Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : — by desire or by — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : By desire or by intent, he seems to overlook the detail. I have already said to him and the member for Girrawheen that in fact in cases whereby children have a school phobia, anxiety or depression and for some reason cannot go to school, there is no point in sitting in a clinic waiting for the kids to come in if they are trying to get them back to school. When I say “reconfigure”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition says, “Ooh, cut, cut!” There is the same number of staff except it is an outreach facility whereby we go into schools and counsel the kids in a school setting to overcome their school phobia and assimilate them back into school. That is an entirely sensible clinical approach in trying to get children to assimilate back into school after their school phobia, depression or emotional disturbance. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked me another question. He cast a big net that the Minister for Mental Health has reduced the Bentley mental health therapy program. I ask the house: does he know what he is talking about? Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Several members interjected. Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : No! He is on a fishing expedition. He found a bit of paper that fell off the back of a truck and he is on a fishing expedition to try to nail a 13 per cent reduction in front-line services. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
The SPEAKER : Members! Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
Dr G.G. JACOBS : The other side of the house might not like how we govern; however, we are the Liberal-National government and I, as the Minister for Mental Health, will adopt policies and plans to improve mental health services in Western Australia. Members opposite might not like that and those priorities might not line up with theirs, but the Liberal-National government’s priorities for mental health will be outlined in the WA mental health strategy, which will lead to reform and improved mental health services for the people of Western Australia. We will implement change; that is the commitment we have made as a government and that is what we will do.
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