The Opposition has defended the former Newman government’s actions over the closure of the Barrett Adolescent Centre in Brisbane, with the Queensland Government announcing a commission of inquiry into the matter.
The inquiry would investigate the previous LNP government’s closure of the centre and the subsequent deaths of three high-risk teenagers, the State Government announced on the weekend.
The $9.5-million inquiry was an election promise made by Labor the day after ABC TVs 7.30 Queensland program revealed government documents warned of potential deaths if the centre was closed, and of the need for alternative care options.
The Barrett centre was the state’s only long-term residential mental health facility for adolescents at risk of suicide.
When the Newman government closed the centre in January 2014, it promised other services would be there.
Within eight months, three former patients were dead.
A spokesman for Health Minister Cameron Dick said Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg would face the witness box at the inquiry, as Mr Springborg was the health minister responsible for closing the facility at the time.
Labor made original decision to close centre, LNP says
Records show the Barrett Centre was to be closed down by the Bligh ALP government, which had allocated $16 million for a replacement unit near Redland hospital, on Brisbane’s bayside.
The plan for the replacement unit was shelved under the LNP in 2012 because of a range of problems, including environmental issues.
Last year, Queensland Health said the long-term residential model of the Barrett centre was outdated and appropriate replacement services were available.
The inquiry will look into the decisions that followed.
Opposition health spokesman Mark McArdle defended the shutting of the centre, saying Labor made the original decision.
“It was initiated by the Labor government to begin with – [the LNP government] did undoubtedly close it down,” he said.
“We acted on expert advice and expert opinion – that is public – and they recommended it was better to close it down than continue the then-current regime.
“Don’t get me wrong – the death of three young people is always tragic in these circumstances even more, so let’s wait to see the outcome of the inquiry before we make any more judgments.”
Labor commits to build new centre
A spokesman for Mr Dick said today the Government would not necessarily reopen the Barrett Centre, but had committed to build a new tier-three, sub-acute centre, with an incorporated education facility for young people with severe and complex mental illness.
The spokesman said the State Government would look to the commission’s recommendations for specific guidance on exactly what form that centre would take and where it should be located.