FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES DEPARTMENT

The Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (14:58): My question is to the Minister for Families and Communities. Can the minister explain why documents and file notes of 250 inquiries made by the Special Investigations Unit of the Department for Families and Communities as part of the Easling investigation were not released under subpoena to Mr Easling or the DPP?

On 21 June 2004, the three Special Investigations Unit investigators assigned to the Easling case reported the following to their manager, Steve Edgington:

The investigators have made substantial progress with the investigation and a total of 250 inquiries, including home visits, interviews, telephone inquiries and inquiries on addresses have been made to date.

The memo continues and it talks about placements, and I quote:

Of the children and young people mentioned in the placement files of Mr Easling, most have spoken highly of Mr Easling and the others have said they had held no concerns of abuse during their placement.

In response to complaints by the Public Service Association, then minister Weatherill wrote the following:

From an evidentiary perspective it is particularly important to the credibility and accountability of both the SIU and SAPOL investigation that interviews with children and the alleged perpetrators (carers, staff members and volunteers) are conducted in a manner which will withstand the highest level of scrutiny.

There should be documents relating to the 250 inquiries and, if they did and do exist, why were they not released under subpoena?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Northern Suburbs, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability) (15:00): I will take that question on notice and get back to the member with an appropriate response.