By Edward Trotter-
South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill has deeply apologized for the abuse suffered by individuals at the now-closed Oakden nursing home. He said he was deeply sorry for the abuse suffered by individuals at the now-closed Oaken nursing home.
The apology follows the release of the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption’s report which made damning findings of maladministration against five individuals and the public authority.
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Commissioner Bruce Lander’s 312-page report — titled “Oakden, A Shameful Chapter in South Australia’s History” — was critical against State Government ministers, but stopped short of making maladministration findings against them.
Although the Government accepted responsibility for the failings, Lander’s report makes 13 recommendations, several of them dealing with the management structure of the facility. Weatherhill said:
“To anybody who suffered abuse at the hands of workers at Oakden, I am deeply sorry,” he said.
“To their family members, to their carers, to their loved ones, I am deeply sorry.”
“The report makes maladministration findings against five public servants, none of whom are working at the new facility at Northgate,” he said.
Opposition leader, Stephen Marshall seized the opportunity to lamabst the sitting Australian government He said:
“If anybody needs any proof whatsoever that this is the worst government in the state’s history they can read about it today,” Mr Marshall said.
“Labor has failed our most vulnerable citizens — they deserve to be sacked on March 17.
“Jay Weatherill has been out there running a protection racket for his incompetent ministers over an extended period of time.
“He was out there saying Leesa Vlahos was doing a great job shining a light on the dysfunction at Oakden, well that is completely in contrast with the evidence.”
He said “every South Australian should be outraged”.
“To have a senior cabinet minister appearing at an ICAC hearing shouting at the Commissioner is nothing short of disgraceful,” he said.
“Surely cabinet has discussed this Oakden crisis, this is another example of this government’s cover-up.”