David Norris (Independent)

I am somewhat concerned about this notion. Perhaps I did not fully understand the argument put forward by Senator Henry. I am aware that a number of people are concerned with regard to the stigmatisation of individuals, but I am sure the latter was not the Senator's intention. I put on the record of the House last week the view of a senior doctor who is concerned about such stigmatisation, particularly in light of the location of the new Central Mental Hospital in the grounds of a prison. He made that point in a slightly different way from Senator Henry. He felt people who committed acts as a result of a delusion for which they were not responsible, which would objectively be viewed as criminal, should not be regarded as criminals. The word "prisoner" carries a degree of criminal association and, while I agree with the thrust of Senator Henry's contribution, we ought to be terribly careful in case we unwittingly criminalise and further stigmatise those who suffer from a medically definable condition rather than a criminal personality.