Marsden Rehabilitation Centre Staff Members Physical Abuse Allegations

The Hon. JOHN RYAN: I direct my question without notice to the Minister for Disability Services.

The Hon. Michael Costa: Are you still here?

The Hon. JOHN RYAN: I will be here for a long time. Minister, have seven staff from the Tarrio Unit of the Marsden Rehabilitation Centre at Ryde been redeployed to other duties following allegations that they physically abused clients? Are NSW Police and the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care conducting separate investigations into those allegations? Did it take more than one month for staff from the Minister's department to notify parents that they had concerns about the welfare of residents? Has the Minister received correspondence from concerned parents? Will the Minister keep those parents informed about departmental investigations and what steps he has taken to ensure the ongoing safety of residents?

The Hon. JOHN DELLA BOSCA: The question deals with a number of serious matters. My general answer to the first part of his question is yes. The general terms of events that he described are alleged to have occurred. However, of course, those matters have been referred to police for investigation. I understand an external investigator has been appointed to examine the matters. Other than acknowledging the general terms of the allegation and the fact that police are investigating them, it is not appropriate for me to comment on or confirm the other matters until the investigation is completed.