CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen—Leader of the Opposition) (16:00): As a supplementary, is the minister saying that he did not give an undertaking to provide monthly updates to these parents?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Minister for Education, Minister for Early Childhood Development, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (16:00): I do not recall giving such an undertaking, and the notes I have of the meeting do not suggest that that was said, but I am happy to go back and reflect on the material. The first thing I said at the meeting was to express my deep sorrow for the fact that, as a government, we weren't able to protect these children. It is monstrous to imagine that these children were preyed upon by a driver who was in a relationship of trust with them. I was appalled by that, and the distress of their parents was obvious.

They were distressed and angry that it appeared the perpetrator might escape justice, so a lot of the meeting was spent on that matter. I cannot recall involving myself in the process associated with the criminal matters. I had understood that that was a matter that would be dealt with by Victims of Crime and the associated court-related agencies, but I am not familiar with that in this specific case. So, I would think not, but I will check my records.