Page 1093 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 3 May 2022
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MR GENTLEMAN: No.
Dhulwa Mental Health Unit—safety
MR PARTON: My question is to the Minister for Mental Health. In question time on 6 April, speaking about the nursing union’s call for an urgent inquiry into the Dhulwa mental health facility, you said you were “listening” to their concerns and added:
He has got my number: call me maybe.
Minister, was the “he” you referred to the union’s ACT branch secretary, Matthew Daniel, and how do you explain such a flippant remark referencing a Carly Rae Jepsen pop song?
MS DAVIDSON: I thank you for noting my excellent taste in music. I am very pleased that I was able to have the conversation with the ANMF last week, and that we were able to go out to the Dhulwa worksite and meet with the nurses together to confirm that what we were talking about doing was heading in the direction that they wanted to go.
As I have said many times, it is very important that, if we are going to be working through this situation and setting up an inquiry that is independently chaired, that is done with the union and with the nurses involved, and I am very appreciative of this ongoing engagement—
Ms Castley: A point of order, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: Ms Davidson, resume your seat. There is a point of order.
Ms Castley: My point of order is that it is not about what she is doing with regard to the inquiry; it is about how she explains such a flippant remark about Mr Daniel. It is as simple as that.
MADAM SPEAKER: I think there is a point of order. I cannot direct you as to how you answer, but I believe you need to go to that.
MS DAVIDSON: Thank you. I believe I have covered some of the chronology of the phone and email conversations and meetings in my previous answers. Thank you for the question.
MR PARTON: Have you apologised, Minister, to Mr Daniel and Dhulwa nurses for your dismissive remark? If not, why not?
MS DAVIDSON: I have been very busy having conversations with the ANMF about the terms of reference for the inquiry and who would be an appropriate independent chair for that inquiry, and that is where the process needs to be.
Mr Hanson: A point of order, Madam Speaker.
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