A letter I sent The West and they have promptly ignored:
I note Premier McGowan’s comments in The West Australian on Saturday when he stated that the issue of culturally and linguistically diverse community matters were not mentioned in the body of the Internal Inquiry report on Aishwarya’s death. Clearly this is a person who has not read the body of the report.
On page 13 of the report it states “Ethnicity was also considered by the panel. In the interviews some staff were asked whether they believed that the race of this family impacted the care of the patient, they stated it did not. The panel recognised the methodological limitations of the review which meant they were unable to determine whether race or cultural background impacted on the care of the patient. The panel noted that institutional discrimination and racism towards people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds and other specific population groups, who may be vulnerable within health systems should be further explored”.
Far from ignoring them, the panel has flagged that the issues needed to be further explored.
In pointing this out, I make a few further observations about this matter that may assist the Premier in trying to understand the issues. In constituting the Internal Inquiry panel the health department did have an academic from UWA, who specialises in issues of dealing with cultural diversity. Clearly the hospital regarded the issue as one that needed addressing.
The Premier has been notable in recent times for having demonised Australians of Indian origin who have returned from trips to India. He has cast aspersions on the veracity of Covid testing procedures in India. He has also led the charge against flights coming from India.
Whilst noting the rhetoric from the Premier I also note on the record that he has made no attempt whatsoever to contact the family of the deceased girl nor even send a message of condolences to them. And the silence and tacit compliance from the three members of WA Parliament who happily flaunted their Indian origin status in looking for support during the election has been apparent.
Suresh Rajan
0403276960
