Report of the Inquiry into the Esther Foundation and unregulated private health facilities

The Legislative Assembly’s Education and Health Standing Committee tabled the Report of the Inquiry into the Esther Foundation and unregulated private health facilities in the Western Australian Parliament on Thursday 1 December 2022.

The Report made 42 findings with regards to the practices and governance of Esther Foundation and the adequacy of the existing legislative and regulatory frameworks. The Inquiry has recognised the importance of regulation to ensure alcohol and other drug treatment services that do not receive government funding comply with the National Quality Framework for AOD Treatment Services.

The Committee has recommended that in addition to reviewing the Private Hospitals and Health Services Act 1927, the State Government should work with the sector to establish regulatory processes (including a licencing and regulatory scheme for private AOD treatment services) to give full effect to the National Quality Framework for AOD Treatment Services in WA.

The State Government will respond to the Committee Report within three months, and has announced that it will ban LGBTQIA+ conversion practices in WA.

WANADA welcomes the release of the report and looks forward to working with the State Government to support improved outcomes for the community.

For more information, please access WANADA’s submission to the Inquiry, or contact WANADA 2IC and Manager Advocacy and Systems Ethan James on (08) 6557 9400 or via [email protected].