Uh oh. Poor Ms Elliot. The Minister has incurred the withering wrath of Aged & Community Services SA & NT chief executive Alan Graham.

Apparently, the Minister was "grossly negligent" in releasing the complaints report over Easter "without proper explanation"...

Naturally, Aged & Community Services SA & NT is in possession of the "proper explanation":

The new system "counts its data differently".

Got that?

I feel fairly sure that ACS SA&NT would be the only ones who could find solace in this reality: Aged care generated 4000 complaints in the six months to December 2007 of which "only a very small number" were actioned - including 33 police referrals!

Not only that, but the Minister compounded her error miserably by not releasing the complaints report to Aged & Community Service before making it public (well, three gold stars to the Minister ... what arrogance makes these people think they're entitled to a public report before the public?)

Quell your rage, however, all will be remedied ... Aged & Community Services has already scolded the Minister for undermining that fundamental of quality care - "public perception" - while the SA branch is even now plotting a "more responsible" approach by the Minister.

I'd mention the word, ignorance, at this point, but I daresay I don't need to.

Is the Minister actually exercising some authority over her portfolio, do you think? Or was that a mistake?