Oakden families say they have been let down by ex-minister Leesa Vlahos’ resignation

AN Oakden aged-care home whistleblower says Leesa Vlahos’ resignation is a “slap in the face” for families desperate for answers about abuse at the facility.

• Author of Oakden abuse report resigns
• More staff fired, resigned
• Oakden whistleblower says he was shut-out by minister
• ICAC inquiry to examine what ministers knew

AN Oakden aged-care home whistleblower says the former mental health minister’s resignation is a “slap in the face” for families desperate for answers about abuse at the facility.

Stewart Johnston, whose mother Helen accused Oakden staff of repeated assaults in 2008, said he felt “taken for a fool” after Leesa Vlahos quit Cabinet, but opted to remain in Parliament.

“I publicly backed her because she seemed so genuine in her resolve to see the (Independent Commissioner Against Corruption inquiry) through to the end yet she’s jumped ship before the critical time is over,” Mr Johnson said.

Mr Johnston said the resignations of Ms Vlahos and former health minister Jack Snelling solidified his belief ICAC Mr Lander would make adverse findings against them in his report into possible government maladministration at the facility.

Family members of deceased residents at the disgraced Makk and McLeay wards at the Oakden Older Persons Mental Health Service in South Australia visit Canberra’s Parliament House in May.

“It’s definitely a case of the rats jumping a sinking ship,” he said.

Premier Jay Weatherill flatly rejected his ministers’ resignations had anything to do with Oakden or the ICAC report.

Mark Martin, whose wife Cheryl — a former Oakden resident — died of bronchopneumonia in 2008, said he was pleased Ms Vlahos had been replaced by Peter Malinauskas, who will also take on the health portfolio.

“I think they (Ms Vlahos and Mr Snelling) made a mess of everything and I hope these new people can do a much better job,” Mr Martin said.

“I met Leesa Vlahos two to three times and you could tell she was in way too deep. She didn’t seem to have any idea how to fix things.”