SANE Australia - Frank Sartor's 'lunatics' and 'loonies'

0611_stig_frank_sartor According to NSW Minister for Planning, Mr Frank Sartor, residents of the Sydney suburb of Putney are 'lunatics' and 'loonies'.

Mr Sartor was quoted as making these comments in the story 'It's bedlam as "lunatics" fight hospital takeover' in the Sydney Morning Herald on 14.10.06.

SANE Australia wrote to Mr Sartor urging him to avoid using these terms.

Using outdated and negative colloquialisms such as these may contribute to community stigma and discrimination.

Mr Sartor's office wrote to SANE on 20.11.06, noting the Minister's support for SANE's efforts to raise awareness of the impact of negative words on people and families affected by mental illness.