❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks information on the implementation, funding, and policies related to language services within the Mental Health Commission, Drug and Alcohol Office, and Disability Services Commission since 2008, following the launch of the WA Languages Services Policy. The response details varying levels of policy implementation, funding expenditure, and interpreter usage guidelines across the agencies.
AnsweredQoN 6485Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
In relation to the Western Australian Languages Services Policy, launched by Premier Colin Barnett in 2008, which states that Government agencies are required to have policies for funding and delivering translating and interpreting services that take account of relevant Government policy, legal circumstances and the needs of potential and current clients, I ask:
(a) what policies in each agency in the Minister’s departments have been implemented, and when;
(b) what funding and expenditure has been incurred since 2008 on translation and interpreting services by which agencies and to whom was the funding paid;
(c) can the Minister please table all policies which have been produced and are readily available to agency staff and clients; and
(d) in each agency, can the Minister please list which situations have been identified where interpreters and translators must, should or may be used?
(a) what policies in each agency in the Minister’s departments have been implemented, and when;
(b) what funding and expenditure has been incurred since 2008 on translation and interpreting services by which agencies and to whom was the funding paid;
(c) can the Minister please table all policies which have been produced and are readily available to agency staff and clients; and
(d) in each agency, can the Minister please list which situations have been identified where interpreters and translators must, should or may be used?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
1 December 2011
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Mental Health; Disability Services
Response time
30 days
Mental Health Commission
(a) The Mental Health Commission (MHC) was established on 8 March 2010. The MHC is not a service provider, however, the organisation is guided by the Western Australian Languages Services Policy and WA Health Language Services Policy, which was released in September 2011.
(b) Nil.
(c-d) Not applicable, please see answer to (a).
Drug and Alcohol Office
a) The Drug and Alcohol Office has a Language Services Policy which was first implemented in December 1993.
b) Since 2008, payments totalling $3,770.39 have been made to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship for translating and interpreting services.
c) Please see tabled papers no [.....]
d) Interpreters and translators are used when the client requests the service or contact to the Drug and Alcohol Office is made through an interpreter or translator.
Disability Services Commission:
(a)
The Disability Services Commission developed its first language services plan in 1993.
A new policy was developed and implemented in 2004 in line with the new directions in State Government policy. The document was updated in 2005 and is under review
In 2008 the State Government's new Language Services Policy, was communicated widely and implemented. This document is currently the most frequently used point of guidance within the Commission.
(b)
The Disability Services Commission has identified that a total of $183,560 was expended on translation and interpreting services from 1 January 2008 to 1 November 2011. The following main suppliers were recompensed:
· Department of Immigration and Citizenship (Translation and Interpreting Service)
· WA Deaf Society
· On Call Interpreters and Translators Pty Ltd
· Translators International and
· WA Interpreters Pty Ltd
A breakdown of cost by supplier is not available.
(c)
Please see tabled papers no. [........]
(d)
Each situation is assessed individually and will vary depending on the clinical need and particular circumstances. For example:
· where the person / family / carer cannot communicate in English and information that needs to be conveyed is of a legal nature, involves informed consent / fully informed decision-making and protection of rights, health and safety, a qualified interpreter must be used
· in a situation where a person with disability is non-verbal and the parent / carer is unable to communicate satisfactorily in English, a suitably qualified interpreter must be obtained
· for people who are deaf and use Auslan, an interpreter must be engaged
· persons under 18 years of age should never be used as interpreters
· for Aboriginal people in remote areas who cannot communicate in English, where no professionally qualified interpreter is available, it may be appropriate to use an untrained person who is competent in English and knows the Aboriginal language and
· in situations of low risk, a family member may be asked basic information, for instance what language the person uses for communication, prior to appropriate language services being engaged.
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(a) The Mental Health Commission (MHC) was established on 8 March 2010. The MHC is not a service provider, however, the organisation is guided by the Western Australian Languages Services Policy and WA Health Language Services Policy, which was released in September 2011.
(b) Nil.
(c-d) Not applicable, please see answer to (a).
Drug and Alcohol Office
a) The Drug and Alcohol Office has a Language Services Policy which was first implemented in December 1993.
b) Since 2008, payments totalling $3,770.39 have been made to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship for translating and interpreting services.
c) Please see tabled papers no [.....]
d) Interpreters and translators are used when the client requests the service or contact to the Drug and Alcohol Office is made through an interpreter or translator.
Disability Services Commission:
(a)
The Disability Services Commission developed its first language services plan in 1993.
A new policy was developed and implemented in 2004 in line with the new directions in State Government policy. The document was updated in 2005 and is under review
In 2008 the State Government's new Language Services Policy, was communicated widely and implemented. This document is currently the most frequently used point of guidance within the Commission.
(b)
The Disability Services Commission has identified that a total of $183,560 was expended on translation and interpreting services from 1 January 2008 to 1 November 2011. The following main suppliers were recompensed:
· Department of Immigration and Citizenship (Translation and Interpreting Service)
· WA Deaf Society
· On Call Interpreters and Translators Pty Ltd
· Translators International and
· WA Interpreters Pty Ltd
A breakdown of cost by supplier is not available.
(c)
Please see tabled papers no. [........]
(d)
Each situation is assessed individually and will vary depending on the clinical need and particular circumstances. For example:
· where the person / family / carer cannot communicate in English and information that needs to be conveyed is of a legal nature, involves informed consent / fully informed decision-making and protection of rights, health and safety, a qualified interpreter must be used
· in a situation where a person with disability is non-verbal and the parent / carer is unable to communicate satisfactorily in English, a suitably qualified interpreter must be obtained
· for people who are deaf and use Auslan, an interpreter must be engaged
· persons under 18 years of age should never be used as interpreters
· for Aboriginal people in remote areas who cannot communicate in English, where no professionally qualified interpreter is available, it may be appropriate to use an untrained person who is competent in English and knows the Aboriginal language and
· in situations of low risk, a family member may be asked basic information, for instance what language the person uses for communication, prior to appropriate language services being engaged.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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