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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 9 Hansard (2 September) . . Page.. 2734 ..

MRS CARNELL: The only residents of both Hennessy House and Watson Hostel moving are those who choose to move. It is that simple. If people want to stay at either Hennessy or Watson, they have every right to do so. We believe, and I think everybody who looks at this issue Australia-wide agrees, that, wherever possible, people should be deinstitutionalised. I do not think anybody who has ever had a look at either Hennessy or Watson would say that they are not small entities. They are very much more institutional models than residential models.

I am not confident about whether the people involved had advocates, but I will certainly find out. I do know that the people involved have been counselled at length and have been informed of, and helped with, the sorts of options that they may have, including staying in their current accommodation. We are making sure that in the move back into the community, which is a quite significant move for many of those people because they have been at Watson or Hennessy for a long time, they have appropriate briefings and appropriate information. My understanding is that staff, clients and the carers have received full briefings on the plans to reform the whole service and that the carers, relations or people involved with residents who are moving have been kept in the loop, shall we say, and have been part of the process to allow the people who have chosen to do so to move back into the community.

We are also making sure that there is appropriate support for those people. One of the mistakes that have been made as people have been moved out of institutions right around Australia over the years is reflected in the general feeling that in some circumstances they were, I suppose, dumped out in the community without the appropriate support mechanisms. That has been kept very much in mind in this move. We are certainly making sure that all of the people involved have adequate support, including, obviously, access to the Mental Health Service, 24-hour-a-day support counselling, help with medication and all of the other sorts of interventions that are needed for somebody who moves in this way. I will find out about advocates and exactly what happened with regard to that matter.

MS TUCKER: I ask a supplementary question. I would appreciate that information, although it is my understanding that advocates have not been present at interviews for the people who have moved so far. Will you guarantee that an advocate will be provided for people who are going to be interviewed about moving out? If this is not within the resource possibilities of existing advocacy agencies, will you make a commitment to this place that you will ensure that there is adequate resourcing to ensure that there is advocacy available for all people there?

MRS CARNELL: It is my understanding that whenever a client requests an advocate one is provided, but I have already indicated that I am happy to give more information to the Assembly on the issue of advocates.

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