Oakden ICAC report: Former Mental Health Minister Leesa Vlahos ‘showed nothing but contempt’ to victims’ families

THE families of the victims at the disgraced Oakden nursing home have reacted with shock and fury following the ICAC report — and have pointed the finger at former minister Leesa Vlahos.

• The ICAC Oakden report: Read the full story
• Premier Jay Weatherill responds to the ICAC report
• Daniel Wills analysis: Labor ministers blasted but escape sanction
• Sordid history: How the Oakden scandal unfolded

THE families of the victims at the disgraced Oakden nursing home have reacted with shock and fury after the ICAC report into mistreatment at the facility — and have pointed the finger at former mental health minister Leesa Vlahos.

The scandal was labelled as “a disgrace, a shocking indictment and a shameful chapter in SA’s history” in ICAC Commissioner Bruce Lander QC’s 456-page report.

But no government minister was found at fault of maladministration.

Instead, the corruption watchdog singled out senior management staff at Oakden facility and administrative staff in the health system, including those responsible for taking complaints, for findings of maladministration.

There were 13 recommendations for change.

Leesa Vlahos will quit politics at the upcoming State Election. Picture: Simon Cross

Stewart Johnston, whose mother Helen was assaulted at Oakden, said the report marked a “sad day for South Australia”.

Mr Johnston said it was “an absolute joke” that maladministration findings were not made against Ms Vlahos or other ministers.

“She showed nothing but contempt for the families and what they went through,” he said.

“I took her at face value and believed what she was saying. She stood in front of families and lied to us when she said she was committed to a full and frank ICAC inquiry.”

Mr Johnston said Mr Weatherill could not resolve the families’ anger and hurt.

“It’s an absolute blight on the Labor Government and there’s nothing he (Mr Weatherill) can say to us that can make it better,” he said.

Stewart Johnston’s mother Helen was assaulted at Oakden. Picture: Matt Loxton

Clive Spriggs, whose mother Barb blew the whistle on the treatment that his father Bob received at the facility, said he was appalled by much of what was contained in the report.

“What we have read is pretty shocking to realise how badly we’ve been let down and how the system let us down so badly and for so long,” he said.

“What have we got them (ministers) there for if they don’t know what’s going on? It’s under their jurisdiction.”

“It’s appalling it hasn’t made its way to them.”

Mr Spriggs said he wanted answers about what action would be taken against the five staff Mr Lander made maladministration findings against.

“Are they just named and that’s it? Or is there action taken against them? Finding out what happens next is really important to us,” he said.

Ahead of a meeting with Mr Weatherill this afternoon, Mr Spriggs said he “didn’t have much faith” in the Government’s ability to ensure what occurred at Oakden never happens again.