Senior South Australian of the Year Barb Spriggs ‘disappointed’ by Premier’s no show

THE Senior South Australian of the Year is already ‘disappointed’ with the Premier, just one day into her tenure.

Barb Spriggs, the woman who blew the whistle on widespread abuse at the Oakden nursing home says she’s “disappointed” senior government ministers did not show up to the Australian of the Year awards. Photo AAP Image/MATT LOXTON.

• Barb Spriggs is Senior South Australian of the Year
• Fight for justice that left the Spriggs family reeling
• SA’s 2018 Australian of the Year nominees

THE woman who blew the whistle on widespread abuse at the Oakden nursing home says she’s “disappointed” senior Government ministers did not show up to the Australian of the Year awards.

Barb Spriggs was named Senior South Australian of the Year on Monday for her continuous campaign to bring to light the abuse at the now-­condemned facility.

She was presented with her award by Upper House President Russell Wortley, instead of Premier Jay Weatherill or his replacement, Deputy Premier John Rau.

Mrs Spriggs conceded the photo opportunity might have been “awkward” for Mr Weatherill, whose Government had overseen Oakden’s management.

“It might have been awkward for him – it doesn’t faze me,” she said.

“I don’t want to get in a political matter about all of this. But I am disappointed for the Australia Day Council that went to the trouble of putting him on the invites and programs only for him not to show up.”

Mr Weatherill told Parliament he was “never actually engaged” to attend the function, and was not informed of the winners in advance.

A spokeswoman for Mr Rau said he was available to attend the awards, but happily ceded his invitation to Mr Wortley.

“Given Mr Wortley’s close involvement with the South Australia Australian of the Year Awards, the Deputy Premier was delighted for him to attend,” she said.

Mrs Spriggs campaigned about treatment at Oakden after her late husband Bob was overdosed on medication and suffered unexplained bruising.

The non-attendance comes as a parliamentary inquiry into elder abuse in SA recommended the elderly be protected by new laws and a dedicated prevention unit.

Its report makes five recommendations, including urging the State Government to draft an Adult Protection Act, similar to that to protect children.

The committee also called on the Government to fund an Elder Abuse Prevention Unit, which could conduct investigations and bring together officials and information from multiple agencies.

Further recommendations ask the State Government to work with or lobby the Federal Coalition to develop a national elder abuse peak body, fund research and better co-ordinate services and responses.

The committee suggested examining mandatory reporting of suspected abuse or ­neglect of the elderly. Installing surveillance cameras in private rooms of care homes was also raised for investigation.