CHILDREN IN STATE CARE INQUIRY

The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON (Croydon—Attorney-General, Minister for Justice, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (14:05): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON: On 8 April 2008 the Deputy Leader of the Opposition (the member for Bragg) made allegations that SAPOL had refused to investigate allegations referred to the Commissioner of Police by Commissioner Mullighan that a person known as Mother Goose had raped and indecently assaulted boys. The Commissioner of Police has provided the Minister for Police with information about the handling of Commissioner Mullighan's referral and Brad Shannon's allegations against the police.

The information provided by the Commissioner of Police establishes that Brad Shannon's complaints about the police handling of this matter are without foundation. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition has repeated Brad Shannon's allegation against the police in parliament without first inquiring whether there was any substance to it. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition has published claims of police mishandling of a serious criminal matter. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition has been indifferent to the harm to the reputation of the Commissioner of Police and his officers.

The information provided by the Commissioner of Police shows that the allegations made by Brad Shannon about historical child sexual offences were referred to SAPOL by the Children in State Care Commission of Inquiry (the commission) in March 2005. Brad Shannon was interviewed by investigators on 22 April 2005 about child sexual abuse allegations, including those involving a person known as Mother Goose. During this interview, Brad Shannon stated that he did not wish to provide police with a signed statement about these allegations.

On 4 May 2005 Brad Shannon attended the Whyalla Police Station and signed a report requesting that police take no further action about his allegations against the man known as Mother Goose. Mr Shannon stated in this report that he wished no further police action to be taken because 'that was the basis of me providing information to both the Mullighan inquiry and SAPOL'. So the member for Bragg knew that and, nevertheless, proceeded; and she confirms that she proceeded knowing that.

As a result of subsequent correspondence between the Mullighan commission and the acting police commissioner Mr John White, a review was conducted by SAPOL of the allegation that undue pressure was placed on Brad Shannon by investigators to request no police action. In a letter dated 23 August 2005 Mr White advised the Mullighan commission that the SAPOL review did not support the allegation that undue pressure was placed on Brad Shannon. During this review Brad Shannon was contacted by an investigator from the Paedophile Task Force and declined the offer of making a formal police complaint. Mr White also advised the Mullighan commission at this time that Brad Shannon 'again confirmed his position that he desired no further police action in respect of allegations surrounding the person known as Mother Goose'. In June 2007 an officer from the Paedophile Task Force contacted Brad Shannon by telephone.

Ms Chapman: That's why we need an ICAC.

The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON: During this telephone conversation Mr Shannon confirmed that he still did not wish to take action against the man known as Mother Goose. I interpolate, for the benefit of the house, that in respect of the officer from the Paedophile Task Force contacting Brad Shannon by telephone in June 2007, the member for Bragg remarked, 'That's why we need an independent commission against corruption.' I proceed.

The Hon. K.O. Foley: You don't believe the Police Commissioner.

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON: The officer indicated that he was willing to attend in Whyalla to speak further about these issues. Brad Shannon responded that he would contact the officer in the future when he travelled to Adelaide. He did not make any further contact with the officer.

I am advised that investigators from the Paedophile Task Force will again contact Mr Shannon to ascertain if he is now willing to provide a statement to police regarding his allegations. If he does provide a statement, his allegations will be fully investigated. As recently as this morning on ABC Radio, the Commissioner of Police invited Brad Shannon to give a statement, if he is willing to do so.

Day in, day out, the members of the state's police force work hard to keep the people of South Australia safe. They carry out their work with integrity and professionalism. This government has confidence in our police force and will expose the opposition's game of using this parliament to smear our police.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!