MONKEYPOX
511. Mrs L.A. MUNDAY to the Minister for Health:
I refer to health concerns
regarding the monkeypox virus.
(1) Can the
minister update the house on how the government is responding to monkeypox,
including efforts to vaccinate those in our community who may be vulnerable?
(2) Can the
minister also please advise the house whether she is aware of any reckless or
improper action being taken by the opposition?
Ms A.
SANDERSON replied:
I thank the
member for her question.
(1)–(2) Monkeypox
is the latest communicable and notifiable disease that the Department of Health
is managing in our community. It is managing a couple of live cases at the
moment. When monkeypox became notifiable by the World Health Organization, WA
Health took the first opportunity to order vaccines so that they would be available and they are now arriving in our clinics.
The department's public health teams will be working with our
sexual health clinics on a targeted approach to the vaccination of those most
vulnerable to this virus in our community. It probably has not escaped people
in this chamber that we did have an
unfortunate event over the last couple of days with a data breach in relation
to monkeypox and some secondary contacts. For that, I unreservedly
apologise. It was a mistake by a member of staff who was doing a very important
job contact tracing and interviewing people who were on the flight. Sometimes people do make mistakes. What is more concerning is
that it appears that in the process of notifying one of the passengers,
I want to highlight what has been some potential consequences of this.
Essentially, on ABC radio this morning, when interviewed, the recipient of the
email outlined her concern about receiving such sensitive information. She
said, quite understandably, that she was shocked and concerned to receive it.
The transcript of the interview states —
And I just thought, oh my god, what
am I supposed to do with this.
The email recipient was asked by
Nadia —
So, what did you then do, as you're
think about what to do �
She replied —
Well, to be honest with you � I spoke
to a friend. Most people talk to a friend, so that's what I chose to
do.
To which Nadia asked —
And, have you, did you share this
information with anybody?
She replied —
I
went to see Libby Mettam. I chose to have this exposed and yes, I did, I went
to see Libby Mettam.
She is referring to the member for
Vasse but I am quoting directly from the interview transcript.
The person who received the email
obviously went to a person in authority to seek advice on what they should do.
I ask the question of the member for Vasse: What did you advise that person?
Did you advise that person to immediately alert the Department of Health? Did
you advise that person that it was very sensitive information or did you also
receive that information and forward it on to someone else?
Ms L. Mettam: No, I didn't.
You are a liar!
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER: Order, please,
members!
Several members interjected.
Withdrawal of Remark
The
SPEAKER: Your attention, please. Firstly, to the minister, it is not
''question the opposition time'' so I ask you to perhaps phrase
your comments a little differently rather than ask questions directly of the
member for Vasse.
Member for Vasse, you responded with
the statement that you made and I ask you to apologise and withdraw as required
by the standing orders.
Ms L.
METTAM: I withdraw. I will make a statement afterwards.
The SPEAKER: No. Member for
Vasse, you are required to apologise and withdraw without further comment.
Ms L. METTAM: I apologise and
withdraw.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Ms A. SANDERSON: The point
that I am making is that the recipient of the email sought advice from a person
in authority. Potentially, as a consequence, that very sensitive information
was then forwarded to a media outlet. If that
person acted on the immediate advice and alerted the Department of Health,
saying, ''I've got this and you shouldn't —
Ms M.J. Davies: Grubby.
Ms A. SANDERSON: That is
quite extraordinary, given the recent turn of events.
Ms M.J. Davies interjected.
The SPEAKER: Leader of the
Opposition, please desist.
Ms A. SANDERSON: If they had
followed the advice, only one person would have been a recipient of that
information. But we know that more than one person was a recipient of that
information and, amongst that, a discussion was had with the member for Vasse.
If the member for Vasse forwarded that information, that is very serious
indeed. It goes to her character, her judgement and her fitness to be in this
place.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER: Order, please!
Ms A. SANDERSON: It goes
directly to her judgement and her character.
I will be seeking advice on whether
an investigation is warranted and whether any laws have been breached because
of this further breach of information. It goes directly to the person who seeks
to be the alternative health minister. I think a full explanation to the
Parliament on the advice that the member gave and the actions that she advised
is required.