A minister has been forced to offer a humiliating apology to parents grieving the loss of their three-year-old daughter after she was accused of giving a “childish and inappropriate” response when questioned about the mysterious death in parliament.
Perth girl Aliyah Yugovich died unexpectedly in July after contracting the flu following a tonsillectomy.
A preliminary coroner’s report recently revealed that one of the three hospitals that treated her had mistakenly given the girl anti-seizure medication.
Opposition Leader Libby Mettam asked WA Health Minister Amber Jade Sanderson in parliament on Tuesday whether a lack of resources at Perth Children’s Hospital was a factor in Aliyah’s death.
In response, the minister accused Ms Mettam of politicizing the tragic case, saying the Liberal leader had “plumbed grave depths”.
‘This is a new low. “This terrible circumstance is no reason for question time,” fumed Mrs Sanderson.
“This is simply an attempt to politicize what is a terrible event, Madam Speaker… and a dirty attempt by the leader of the opposition.”
Aliyah’s mother, Jess Yugovich, has since slammed the minister for trying to avoid the question.
Aliyah Yugovich (pictured center) died unexpectedly in July
“The way he behaved is childish and inappropriate,” Ms. Yugovich said. Western Australia.
“Our lives have been completely destroyed by this, and to see the person who is supposed to help people like us behave like this is infuriating.”
Yugovich said the minister’s combative response was the first time he had heard Sanderson mention his daughter.
“Libby Mettam asked a valid question and I want answers to those questions,” Ms. Yugovich said.
Sanderson apologized to the family on Wednesday but maintained that question time was an “inherently political forum.”
“I want to start by expressing my deepest condolences to the Yugovich family,” he said.
It has been revealed that Aliyah was mistakenly given anti-seizure medication before her death.
WA Health Minister Amber Jade Sanderson has been criticized by the grieving family for failing to answer a question about aliyah in parliament.
“I am saddened if any of the comments in yesterday’s Question Time upset you, and I sincerely wish you the best.”
“I still say you should always listen to parents, and this is a complex investigation that takes time to carry out.”
Yugovich looks forward to meeting and sitting down with the minister, along with a commitment to ensuring similar tragedies are avoided in the future.
The coroner’s findings on the case are expected to be delivered before Christmas.