EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

Mrs GERAGHTY (Torrens) (14:46): My question is to the Minister for Education and Child Development. Can the minister advise the house how the government has responded to the recommendations of the 2007 Thinker in Residence, Dr Fraser Mustard, about early childhood development?

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Education and Child Development) (14:47): I thank the member for this important question. Members may recall that last year I spoke in this place to honour the enormous contribution made by the late Dr Fraser Mustard, someone who has profoundly influenced our community here in South Australia. It is why I am little puzzled when earlier today the very mild mannered member for Morphett questioned what the government had done in response to Dr Fraser Mustard's report. So I am very pleased today to thank the member for Morphett and look forward to working with him on this government's focus on early childhood. I would now like to outline to the house—

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Bragg!

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: —the long list of initiatives that are directly linked to the work of Dr Mustard. At the heart of Dr Mustard's policy ideas is the concept of using sound evidence and information to support decision-making and services and systems in order to assist young people and their families, and that is precisely what we do here in South Australia.

Our statewide network of children's centres for early childhood and parenting bring together health, family education and other services relevant to families with young children all at one location at local schools. In 2010 we committed a further $26.5 million over four years for the establishment of a further 10 children's centres, building on our initial commitment of 24 children's centres.

In 2009 we began to implement the Australian Early Development Index, and this approach is enabling us to better collect information and data around the early years to assist in planning our services and support for children. We have also developed an early years system to help collect key information in the early childhood area with the capacity to link it to other data sources.

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: To support our research and evidence-based approach, the de Lissa Research Chair in Early Childhood was established at Adelaide University two years ago, while two PhD scholarships in early childhood development have also been awarded. Again, I want to acknowledge the enormous contribution made by Dr Mustard. We have taken this report very seriously. The most significant response to Fraser Mustard's work is without question the creation of this new agency, the Department for Education and Child Development, that brings those key elements across—

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Unley, you are warned.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: —the agencies of education and child protection, those that interface the most with families.