❓ A parliamentary question regarding mental health and drug rehabilitation services for youths in the Kimberley, specifically Balgo, following a coroner's report on youth suicides. The Minister responds by highlighting improvements and ongoing initiatives.
AnsweredQoN 535Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
MENTAL HEALTH CARE — KIMBERLEY
I refer to the Coroner’s Court hearing at the Balgo community into the suicide of four youths, and to an article by Aja Styles in today’s WA Today entitled “‘No help’ available for Kimberley’s suicidal youths: coroner’s court”, which stated, in part — The successive suicides of four young Aboriginal men in Western Australia’s Kimberley region has revealed gaping holes in mental health care and drug rehabilitation services for youths living in the state’s remote communities. … there was “no specific youth drug and alcohol rehabilitation available in the Kimberley”… (1) What has the minister done to address those gaping holes in mental health care and drug rehabilitation services for youths living in the state’s remote communities? (2) Why is no specific youth drug and alcohol rehabilitation available in the Kimberley? (3) Why did the Kimberley mental health and drug services offices make only six weekly visits to Balgo over the year? Hon HELEN MORTON
I refer to the Coroner’s Court hearing at the Balgo community into the suicide of four youths, and to an article by Aja Styles in today’s WA Today entitled “‘No help’ available for Kimberley’s suicidal youths: coroner’s court”, which stated, in part — The successive suicides of four young Aboriginal men in Western Australia’s Kimberley region has revealed gaping holes in mental health care and drug rehabilitation services for youths living in the state’s remote communities. … there was “no specific youth drug and alcohol rehabilitation available in the Kimberley”… (1) What has the minister done to address those gaping holes in mental health care and drug rehabilitation services for youths living in the state’s remote communities? (2) Why is no specific youth drug and alcohol rehabilitation available in the Kimberley? (3) Why did the Kimberley mental health and drug services offices make only six weekly visits to Balgo over the year? Hon HELEN MORTON
AnswerView source ↗
Did the member say that this was a question on notice? Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : No, without notice. Hon HELEN MORTON : The member might have to give me the information; I thought she said notice had been given. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : I continue — (1)–(3) I thank the member for providing some information. Obviously I have been monitoring the outcome of that situation and I have had a fair bit to do with the situation that is going on in Balgo. During the recess I was up in the Kimberley and I met with people from Balgo at the Blank Page summit on suicide, held at the Billard Aboriginal community. I want to impress upon everybody in the house that the circumstances referred to occurred two years ago and that since then there have been no suicides in Balgo. For two years, Balgo has not had any suicides and the issue around volatile substance abuse has also mostly disappeared. That is due mostly to people living in the community of Balgo, because they decided after the first Billard summit that they would go back to their communities and take back the learning that came out of the first summit — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : So you had a summit? Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
… there was “no specific youth drug and alcohol rehabilitation available in the Kimberley”…
there was “no specific youth drug and alcohol rehabilitation available in the Kimberley”…
(2) Why is no specific youth drug and alcohol rehabilitation available in the Kimberley? (3) Why did the Kimberley mental health and drug services offices make only six weekly visits to Balgo over the year? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: Did the member say that this was a question on notice? Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : No, without notice. Hon HELEN MORTON : The member might have to give me the information; I thought she said notice had been given. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : I continue — (1)–(3) I thank the member for providing some information. Obviously I have been monitoring the outcome of that situation and I have had a fair bit to do with the situation that is going on in Balgo. During the recess I was up in the Kimberley and I met with people from Balgo at the Blank Page summit on suicide, held at the Billard Aboriginal community. I want to impress upon everybody in the house that the circumstances referred to occurred two years ago and that since then there have been no suicides in Balgo. For two years, Balgo has not had any suicides and the issue around volatile substance abuse has also mostly disappeared. That is due mostly to people living in the community of Balgo, because they decided after the first Billard summit that they would go back to their communities and take back the learning that came out of the first summit — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : So you had a summit? Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
(3) Why did the Kimberley mental health and drug services offices make only six weekly visits to Balgo over the year? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: Did the member say that this was a question on notice? Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : No, without notice. Hon HELEN MORTON : The member might have to give me the information; I thought she said notice had been given. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : I continue — (1)–(3) I thank the member for providing some information. Obviously I have been monitoring the outcome of that situation and I have had a fair bit to do with the situation that is going on in Balgo. During the recess I was up in the Kimberley and I met with people from Balgo at the Blank Page summit on suicide, held at the Billard Aboriginal community. I want to impress upon everybody in the house that the circumstances referred to occurred two years ago and that since then there have been no suicides in Balgo. For two years, Balgo has not had any suicides and the issue around volatile substance abuse has also mostly disappeared. That is due mostly to people living in the community of Balgo, because they decided after the first Billard summit that they would go back to their communities and take back the learning that came out of the first summit — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : So you had a summit? Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
Hon HELEN MORTON replied: Did the member say that this was a question on notice? Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : No, without notice. Hon HELEN MORTON : The member might have to give me the information; I thought she said notice had been given. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : I continue — (1)–(3) I thank the member for providing some information. Obviously I have been monitoring the outcome of that situation and I have had a fair bit to do with the situation that is going on in Balgo. During the recess I was up in the Kimberley and I met with people from Balgo at the Blank Page summit on suicide, held at the Billard Aboriginal community. I want to impress upon everybody in the house that the circumstances referred to occurred two years ago and that since then there have been no suicides in Balgo. For two years, Balgo has not had any suicides and the issue around volatile substance abuse has also mostly disappeared. That is due mostly to people living in the community of Balgo, because they decided after the first Billard summit that they would go back to their communities and take back the learning that came out of the first summit — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : So you had a summit? Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
Did the member say that this was a question on notice? Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : No, without notice. Hon HELEN MORTON : The member might have to give me the information; I thought she said notice had been given. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : I continue — (1)–(3) I thank the member for providing some information. Obviously I have been monitoring the outcome of that situation and I have had a fair bit to do with the situation that is going on in Balgo. During the recess I was up in the Kimberley and I met with people from Balgo at the Blank Page summit on suicide, held at the Billard Aboriginal community. I want to impress upon everybody in the house that the circumstances referred to occurred two years ago and that since then there have been no suicides in Balgo. For two years, Balgo has not had any suicides and the issue around volatile substance abuse has also mostly disappeared. That is due mostly to people living in the community of Balgo, because they decided after the first Billard summit that they would go back to their communities and take back the learning that came out of the first summit — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : So you had a summit? Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : No, without notice. Hon HELEN MORTON : The member might have to give me the information; I thought she said notice had been given. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : I continue — (1)–(3) I thank the member for providing some information. Obviously I have been monitoring the outcome of that situation and I have had a fair bit to do with the situation that is going on in Balgo. During the recess I was up in the Kimberley and I met with people from Balgo at the Blank Page summit on suicide, held at the Billard Aboriginal community. I want to impress upon everybody in the house that the circumstances referred to occurred two years ago and that since then there have been no suicides in Balgo. For two years, Balgo has not had any suicides and the issue around volatile substance abuse has also mostly disappeared. That is due mostly to people living in the community of Balgo, because they decided after the first Billard summit that they would go back to their communities and take back the learning that came out of the first summit — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : So you had a summit? Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
Hon HELEN MORTON : The member might have to give me the information; I thought she said notice had been given. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : I continue — (1)–(3) I thank the member for providing some information. Obviously I have been monitoring the outcome of that situation and I have had a fair bit to do with the situation that is going on in Balgo. During the recess I was up in the Kimberley and I met with people from Balgo at the Blank Page summit on suicide, held at the Billard Aboriginal community. I want to impress upon everybody in the house that the circumstances referred to occurred two years ago and that since then there have been no suicides in Balgo. For two years, Balgo has not had any suicides and the issue around volatile substance abuse has also mostly disappeared. That is due mostly to people living in the community of Balgo, because they decided after the first Billard summit that they would go back to their communities and take back the learning that came out of the first summit — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : So you had a summit? Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : I continue — (1)–(3) I thank the member for providing some information. Obviously I have been monitoring the outcome of that situation and I have had a fair bit to do with the situation that is going on in Balgo. During the recess I was up in the Kimberley and I met with people from Balgo at the Blank Page summit on suicide, held at the Billard Aboriginal community. I want to impress upon everybody in the house that the circumstances referred to occurred two years ago and that since then there have been no suicides in Balgo. For two years, Balgo has not had any suicides and the issue around volatile substance abuse has also mostly disappeared. That is due mostly to people living in the community of Balgo, because they decided after the first Billard summit that they would go back to their communities and take back the learning that came out of the first summit — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : So you had a summit? Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : I continue — (1)–(3) I thank the member for providing some information. Obviously I have been monitoring the outcome of that situation and I have had a fair bit to do with the situation that is going on in Balgo. During the recess I was up in the Kimberley and I met with people from Balgo at the Blank Page summit on suicide, held at the Billard Aboriginal community. I want to impress upon everybody in the house that the circumstances referred to occurred two years ago and that since then there have been no suicides in Balgo. For two years, Balgo has not had any suicides and the issue around volatile substance abuse has also mostly disappeared. That is due mostly to people living in the community of Balgo, because they decided after the first Billard summit that they would go back to their communities and take back the learning that came out of the first summit — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : So you had a summit? Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
Hon HELEN MORTON : I continue — (1)–(3) I thank the member for providing some information. Obviously I have been monitoring the outcome of that situation and I have had a fair bit to do with the situation that is going on in Balgo. During the recess I was up in the Kimberley and I met with people from Balgo at the Blank Page summit on suicide, held at the Billard Aboriginal community. I want to impress upon everybody in the house that the circumstances referred to occurred two years ago and that since then there have been no suicides in Balgo. For two years, Balgo has not had any suicides and the issue around volatile substance abuse has also mostly disappeared. That is due mostly to people living in the community of Balgo, because they decided after the first Billard summit that they would go back to their communities and take back the learning that came out of the first summit — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : So you had a summit? Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
(1)–(3) I thank the member for providing some information. Obviously I have been monitoring the outcome of that situation and I have had a fair bit to do with the situation that is going on in Balgo. During the recess I was up in the Kimberley and I met with people from Balgo at the Blank Page summit on suicide, held at the Billard Aboriginal community. I want to impress upon everybody in the house that the circumstances referred to occurred two years ago and that since then there have been no suicides in Balgo. For two years, Balgo has not had any suicides and the issue around volatile substance abuse has also mostly disappeared. That is due mostly to people living in the community of Balgo, because they decided after the first Billard summit that they would go back to their communities and take back the learning that came out of the first summit — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : So you had a summit? Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : So you had a summit? Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
… there was “no specific youth drug and alcohol rehabilitation available in the Kimberley”…
there was “no specific youth drug and alcohol rehabilitation available in the Kimberley”…
(2) Why is no specific youth drug and alcohol rehabilitation available in the Kimberley? (3) Why did the Kimberley mental health and drug services offices make only six weekly visits to Balgo over the year? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: Did the member say that this was a question on notice? Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : No, without notice. Hon HELEN MORTON : The member might have to give me the information; I thought she said notice had been given. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : I continue — (1)–(3) I thank the member for providing some information. Obviously I have been monitoring the outcome of that situation and I have had a fair bit to do with the situation that is going on in Balgo. During the recess I was up in the Kimberley and I met with people from Balgo at the Blank Page summit on suicide, held at the Billard Aboriginal community. I want to impress upon everybody in the house that the circumstances referred to occurred two years ago and that since then there have been no suicides in Balgo. For two years, Balgo has not had any suicides and the issue around volatile substance abuse has also mostly disappeared. That is due mostly to people living in the community of Balgo, because they decided after the first Billard summit that they would go back to their communities and take back the learning that came out of the first summit — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : So you had a summit? Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
(3) Why did the Kimberley mental health and drug services offices make only six weekly visits to Balgo over the year? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: Did the member say that this was a question on notice? Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : No, without notice. Hon HELEN MORTON : The member might have to give me the information; I thought she said notice had been given. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : I continue — (1)–(3) I thank the member for providing some information. Obviously I have been monitoring the outcome of that situation and I have had a fair bit to do with the situation that is going on in Balgo. During the recess I was up in the Kimberley and I met with people from Balgo at the Blank Page summit on suicide, held at the Billard Aboriginal community. I want to impress upon everybody in the house that the circumstances referred to occurred two years ago and that since then there have been no suicides in Balgo. For two years, Balgo has not had any suicides and the issue around volatile substance abuse has also mostly disappeared. That is due mostly to people living in the community of Balgo, because they decided after the first Billard summit that they would go back to their communities and take back the learning that came out of the first summit — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : So you had a summit? Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
Hon HELEN MORTON replied: Did the member say that this was a question on notice? Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : No, without notice. Hon HELEN MORTON : The member might have to give me the information; I thought she said notice had been given. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : I continue — (1)–(3) I thank the member for providing some information. Obviously I have been monitoring the outcome of that situation and I have had a fair bit to do with the situation that is going on in Balgo. During the recess I was up in the Kimberley and I met with people from Balgo at the Blank Page summit on suicide, held at the Billard Aboriginal community. I want to impress upon everybody in the house that the circumstances referred to occurred two years ago and that since then there have been no suicides in Balgo. For two years, Balgo has not had any suicides and the issue around volatile substance abuse has also mostly disappeared. That is due mostly to people living in the community of Balgo, because they decided after the first Billard summit that they would go back to their communities and take back the learning that came out of the first summit — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : So you had a summit? Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
Did the member say that this was a question on notice? Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : No, without notice. Hon HELEN MORTON : The member might have to give me the information; I thought she said notice had been given. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : I continue — (1)–(3) I thank the member for providing some information. Obviously I have been monitoring the outcome of that situation and I have had a fair bit to do with the situation that is going on in Balgo. During the recess I was up in the Kimberley and I met with people from Balgo at the Blank Page summit on suicide, held at the Billard Aboriginal community. I want to impress upon everybody in the house that the circumstances referred to occurred two years ago and that since then there have been no suicides in Balgo. For two years, Balgo has not had any suicides and the issue around volatile substance abuse has also mostly disappeared. That is due mostly to people living in the community of Balgo, because they decided after the first Billard summit that they would go back to their communities and take back the learning that came out of the first summit — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : So you had a summit? Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : No, without notice. Hon HELEN MORTON : The member might have to give me the information; I thought she said notice had been given. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : I continue — (1)–(3) I thank the member for providing some information. Obviously I have been monitoring the outcome of that situation and I have had a fair bit to do with the situation that is going on in Balgo. During the recess I was up in the Kimberley and I met with people from Balgo at the Blank Page summit on suicide, held at the Billard Aboriginal community. I want to impress upon everybody in the house that the circumstances referred to occurred two years ago and that since then there have been no suicides in Balgo. For two years, Balgo has not had any suicides and the issue around volatile substance abuse has also mostly disappeared. That is due mostly to people living in the community of Balgo, because they decided after the first Billard summit that they would go back to their communities and take back the learning that came out of the first summit — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : So you had a summit? Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
Hon HELEN MORTON : The member might have to give me the information; I thought she said notice had been given. Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : I continue — (1)–(3) I thank the member for providing some information. Obviously I have been monitoring the outcome of that situation and I have had a fair bit to do with the situation that is going on in Balgo. During the recess I was up in the Kimberley and I met with people from Balgo at the Blank Page summit on suicide, held at the Billard Aboriginal community. I want to impress upon everybody in the house that the circumstances referred to occurred two years ago and that since then there have been no suicides in Balgo. For two years, Balgo has not had any suicides and the issue around volatile substance abuse has also mostly disappeared. That is due mostly to people living in the community of Balgo, because they decided after the first Billard summit that they would go back to their communities and take back the learning that came out of the first summit — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : So you had a summit? Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
Several members interjected. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : I continue — (1)–(3) I thank the member for providing some information. Obviously I have been monitoring the outcome of that situation and I have had a fair bit to do with the situation that is going on in Balgo. During the recess I was up in the Kimberley and I met with people from Balgo at the Blank Page summit on suicide, held at the Billard Aboriginal community. I want to impress upon everybody in the house that the circumstances referred to occurred two years ago and that since then there have been no suicides in Balgo. For two years, Balgo has not had any suicides and the issue around volatile substance abuse has also mostly disappeared. That is due mostly to people living in the community of Balgo, because they decided after the first Billard summit that they would go back to their communities and take back the learning that came out of the first summit — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : So you had a summit? Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon HELEN MORTON : I continue — (1)–(3) I thank the member for providing some information. Obviously I have been monitoring the outcome of that situation and I have had a fair bit to do with the situation that is going on in Balgo. During the recess I was up in the Kimberley and I met with people from Balgo at the Blank Page summit on suicide, held at the Billard Aboriginal community. I want to impress upon everybody in the house that the circumstances referred to occurred two years ago and that since then there have been no suicides in Balgo. For two years, Balgo has not had any suicides and the issue around volatile substance abuse has also mostly disappeared. That is due mostly to people living in the community of Balgo, because they decided after the first Billard summit that they would go back to their communities and take back the learning that came out of the first summit — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : So you had a summit? Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
Hon HELEN MORTON : I continue — (1)–(3) I thank the member for providing some information. Obviously I have been monitoring the outcome of that situation and I have had a fair bit to do with the situation that is going on in Balgo. During the recess I was up in the Kimberley and I met with people from Balgo at the Blank Page summit on suicide, held at the Billard Aboriginal community. I want to impress upon everybody in the house that the circumstances referred to occurred two years ago and that since then there have been no suicides in Balgo. For two years, Balgo has not had any suicides and the issue around volatile substance abuse has also mostly disappeared. That is due mostly to people living in the community of Balgo, because they decided after the first Billard summit that they would go back to their communities and take back the learning that came out of the first summit — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : So you had a summit? Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
(1)–(3) I thank the member for providing some information. Obviously I have been monitoring the outcome of that situation and I have had a fair bit to do with the situation that is going on in Balgo. During the recess I was up in the Kimberley and I met with people from Balgo at the Blank Page summit on suicide, held at the Billard Aboriginal community. I want to impress upon everybody in the house that the circumstances referred to occurred two years ago and that since then there have been no suicides in Balgo. For two years, Balgo has not had any suicides and the issue around volatile substance abuse has also mostly disappeared. That is due mostly to people living in the community of Balgo, because they decided after the first Billard summit that they would go back to their communities and take back the learning that came out of the first summit — Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : So you had a summit? Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : So you had a summit? Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
Hon HELEN MORTON : Just be quiet. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich : Just answer the question! The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
The PRESIDENT : Order! Let us get one thing clear: once a question has been asked by a member, the member should let the minister respond. If the minister responds through the Chair, I guarantee I will not interject! Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
Hon HELEN MORTON : It was absolutely thrilling to be up at Billard. It was reported that after the first 12-month intervention there had been no suicides and that alcohol, drug and solvent abuse had begun to decrease. They indicated quite clearly that they were still incredibly fearful, they were living day by day, and they were having a significant community response around providing emergency care in response to all of the people living there. After they came back a second time—which was in the past month when I was up there—they said that for two years Balgo has been free of suicide and free of petrol and volatile substance abuse. As I say, the majority of credit for that goes to the community itself which has decided to really make a substantial effort towards making sure these things are dealt with. The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
The Balgo community also made contact with us, seeking a summit in their community. I had dinner at Parliament House in the past couple of months with some community members and elders from Balgo. We talked about the Balgo summit and how we might go about improving those services even further. The particular issues that Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich mentions are around the level of mental health intervention in Balgo. The specialist Aboriginal Medical Service is rolling out into those communities; over $19 million worth of drug and alcohol services is rolling out into those communities, including Balgo; and, of course, the suicide prevention strategy for the Kimberley is rolling out into Balgo. I have to say that whilst everybody in the Kimberley is so involved in critical and emergency response, it is actually quite difficult as it is the same people involved. It is quite difficult for them to focus away from the critical issues and onto the more long-term suicide prevention strategies that they want to roll out. I want to reiterate that despite the coroner’s inquiry—which is incredibly important; we need to hear the stories coming out of that—and since that time there have been no suicides and the solvent abuse issue has almost disappeared.
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