Atkinson: Bikies, dope growers took priority over mental health

[grace]

THE State Government says it gave priority to cracking down on bikies and dope growers ahead of reforming laws governing the care of mentally ill offenders.

 

Attorney-General Michael Atkinson today rejected claims that weak laws had contributed to Monday's tragic stabbing attack in Davoren Park, in which a man and his son, 2, died and his partner and newborn baby were stabbed.

 

As exclusively revealed by AdelaideNow yesterday, Parole Board chief Frances Nelson QC said she believed the tragedy could have been avoided if her organisation had the power to detain people on a mental health licence who are deemed to be a risk to the community.

 

Mr Atkinson defended the lack of action in changing the laws, saying the Government was inundated by policy proposals and had to make priorities.

 

"We've given priority to cracking down on the drug trade, on hydroponics and outlaw motorcycle gangs, we're coming to (mental health laws) now, we're coming to it with an open mind," Mr Atkinson said at a press conference today.

 

"We get policy proposals coming to us every day of the week. I opened my own mail today and there were 50 items there. We decided at that time it was not proportionate and not high enough on the scale of legislative changes to be made."

 

Under current laws, the Parole Board must ask the Director of Public Prosecutions to apply to a court to revoke licences, which are imposed when an offender is found not guilty because of mental incompetence.

 

Ms Nelson said she had asked the Government to amend the laws to give her board the power to detain offenders as far back as 2004.

 

In 2007, the Government announced it would consider removing the mental impairment defence for drug addicts after schizophrenic man Joshua John Scalzi attacked two men in their home, believing they were "evil clones".

 

Tragedy in Davoren Park

 

David James Wyatt - who had repeatedly breached conditions of a mental health licence imposed after he robbed a woman at knifepoint - stabbed his partner and children before killing himself in his Davoren Park house on Monday.

 

Ms Nelson said she had asked the Director of Public Prosecutions four times to have Wyatt detained because he failed to take medication, used illicit drugs, was violent and refused to take part in treatment and counselling.

 

Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Pallaras QC today issued a written statement rejecting Ms Nelson's claims that his office had not done enough to seek Wyatt's detention.

 

Mr Pallaras said there was clear advice from the Forensic Mental Health Service when a breach was reported last month.

 

"They advised that it would be counterproductive to initiate breach proceedings and admit Mr Wyatt to James Nash House," he said.

 

Mr Pallaras said psychiatrists found Wyatt's problems "would be better managed in the community with a more proactive approach".

 

"It was also considered that as Mr Wyatt's partner was due to give birth, admitting him to James Nash House would simply cause chaos, distress and anger."

 

Author: ANDREW DOWDELL

Date: 19 March 2009

Source: ADELAIDE NOW REPORTER

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0...46-2682,00.html

[JaykeSucks]

That's just plain fucking infuriating. Nothing else to say.