❓ Mr. McGowan questions the Premier regarding support for Constable Ryan Marron, who contracted Murray Valley encephalitis while on duty. The Premier assures ongoing support, pending medical assessments, and emphasizes the government's commitment.
AnsweredQoN 85Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CONSTABLE RYAN MARRON
85. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I refer to the case of Constable
Ryan Marron who contracted Murray Valley encephalitis while on active duty with
Western Australia Police in the Kimberley in 2011.
(1) Is the
treatment needed by Constable Marron available in Western Australia; and, if
so, why is he not receiving that treatment now?
(2) If the
treatment is not available in Western Australia, what financial commitment is
the WA government prepared to give to Constable Marron and his family to ensure
that he receives this treatment?
(3) Given that
supporters of Constable Marron and his wife have raised sufficient money to
allow for two months of rehabilitation in Chicago, will the Premier commit to
providing funding for the remaining four months?
(4) Given that
Constable Marron is definitely leaving for Chicago on Monday, will the Premier
make that commitment now so that Constable Marron and his wife are not forced
to fly out and then fly back after two months to seek further funding, only to
have to undertake another 30hour flight back to Chicago?
85. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I refer to the case of Constable
Ryan Marron who contracted Murray Valley encephalitis while on active duty with
Western Australia Police in the Kimberley in 2011.
(1) Is the
treatment needed by Constable Marron available in Western Australia; and, if
so, why is he not receiving that treatment now?
(2) If the
treatment is not available in Western Australia, what financial commitment is
the WA government prepared to give to Constable Marron and his family to ensure
that he receives this treatment?
(3) Given that
supporters of Constable Marron and his wife have raised sufficient money to
allow for two months of rehabilitation in Chicago, will the Premier commit to
providing funding for the remaining four months?
(4) Given that
Constable Marron is definitely leaving for Chicago on Monday, will the Premier
make that commitment now so that Constable Marron and his wife are not forced
to fly out and then fly back after two months to seek further funding, only to
have to undertake another 30hour flight back to Chicago?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(4)
The case of Constable Ryan Marron is an extremely sad one. It was around a year
ago that he contracted Murray Valley encephalitis, presumably after he was
bitten by a mosquito while serving as a police officer in the Kimberley. He has
severe medical problems as a result of that. He was admitted to Sir Charles
Gairdner Hospital and then to the rehabilitation centre in Shenton Park. I
think every person in Western Australia feels very sympathetic to and sorry for
the circumstances that Constable Marron and his partner, Toni, find themselves
in. The state government has been dealing with this situation and will continue
to do so. I make the point that Constable Marron is still on full pay, as he
should be. We are also ensuring that he receives all his medical expenses and
assistance through care at home and any other treatment that is required.
Following discussions between the
Minister for Police and the Minister for Health, the Minister for Health has
initiated a second and independent review of his health condition. I understand
that that has been undertaken this week.
Mr Speaker, this is a very serious
issue.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : This government and, I believe, the opposition take this
issue very seriously. The Minister for Health has initiated a second and
independent reassessment of Constable Marron's condition. The
government is very much guided by what is needed for his best medical care.
There are dangers in him undertaking a flight in his condition, and we have
sought medical advice on that. We all admire the fact that his partner and his
family are hopeful of his recovery. We all share in hoping that that can be
achieved.
The government is dealing with this
issue. We will deal with his —
Ms
M.M. Quirk interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen!
Mr
P.B. Watson : Cut through the red tape.
The
SPEAKER : I do not think the Premier needs any assistance in answering this
question, nor does the Leader of the Opposition need anybody interjecting if he
wishes to ask a supplementary question. Member for Albany, I formally call you
to order for the first time.
Mr
P.B. Watson interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the second
time.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The medical authorities are awaiting the results of that
second assessment of Constable Marron's condition to determine his
prospects and, indeed, whether it is wise for him to travel in his condition.
On the basis of that, the Commissioner of Police will provide advice to the
police minister and the state will then consider what further assistance it
might provide to him.
Mr
P.B. Watson interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Albany, you might be looking for an early mark. I
formally call you to order for the third time today.
Ms
M.M. Quirk interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I suggest that if you are going to talk in
this place, you do so a little more quietly.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The government will be guided by the medical reports as to
how Constable Marron can best be assisted. Offers have been made for him to
attend a facility in Melbourne, which I understand offers a better service than
can be provided in Perth at this point. No-one discounts the fact that the
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago has an outstanding reputation. While we
await the medical reports and make a decision on any further assistance that
will be provided, I state in this house that Constable Marron will not be
ignored by this state. We all hope that he can make a recovery or certainly
improve the condition of his health. Under whatever scenario might occur, I
assure the house that this state government will support him for as long as it
takes. We will not do it through debate in this chamber. We will do it on
advice of the medical reports and the recommendations made to us. We will
consider them as a cabinet and act appropriately.
The case of Constable Ryan Marron is an extremely sad one. It was around a year
ago that he contracted Murray Valley encephalitis, presumably after he was
bitten by a mosquito while serving as a police officer in the Kimberley. He has
severe medical problems as a result of that. He was admitted to Sir Charles
Gairdner Hospital and then to the rehabilitation centre in Shenton Park. I
think every person in Western Australia feels very sympathetic to and sorry for
the circumstances that Constable Marron and his partner, Toni, find themselves
in. The state government has been dealing with this situation and will continue
to do so. I make the point that Constable Marron is still on full pay, as he
should be. We are also ensuring that he receives all his medical expenses and
assistance through care at home and any other treatment that is required.
Following discussions between the
Minister for Police and the Minister for Health, the Minister for Health has
initiated a second and independent review of his health condition. I understand
that that has been undertaken this week.
Mr Speaker, this is a very serious
issue.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : This government and, I believe, the opposition take this
issue very seriously. The Minister for Health has initiated a second and
independent reassessment of Constable Marron's condition. The
government is very much guided by what is needed for his best medical care.
There are dangers in him undertaking a flight in his condition, and we have
sought medical advice on that. We all admire the fact that his partner and his
family are hopeful of his recovery. We all share in hoping that that can be
achieved.
The government is dealing with this
issue. We will deal with his —
Ms
M.M. Quirk interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen!
Mr
P.B. Watson : Cut through the red tape.
The
SPEAKER : I do not think the Premier needs any assistance in answering this
question, nor does the Leader of the Opposition need anybody interjecting if he
wishes to ask a supplementary question. Member for Albany, I formally call you
to order for the first time.
Mr
P.B. Watson interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I formally call you to order for the second
time.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The medical authorities are awaiting the results of that
second assessment of Constable Marron's condition to determine his
prospects and, indeed, whether it is wise for him to travel in his condition.
On the basis of that, the Commissioner of Police will provide advice to the
police minister and the state will then consider what further assistance it
might provide to him.
Mr
P.B. Watson interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Albany, you might be looking for an early mark. I
formally call you to order for the third time today.
Ms
M.M. Quirk interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I suggest that if you are going to talk in
this place, you do so a little more quietly.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The government will be guided by the medical reports as to
how Constable Marron can best be assisted. Offers have been made for him to
attend a facility in Melbourne, which I understand offers a better service than
can be provided in Perth at this point. No-one discounts the fact that the
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago has an outstanding reputation. While we
await the medical reports and make a decision on any further assistance that
will be provided, I state in this house that Constable Marron will not be
ignored by this state. We all hope that he can make a recovery or certainly
improve the condition of his health. Under whatever scenario might occur, I
assure the house that this state government will support him for as long as it
takes. We will not do it through debate in this chamber. We will do it on
advice of the medical reports and the recommendations made to us. We will
consider them as a cabinet and act appropriately.
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