CHILD PROTECTION

Mr PISONI (Unley) (14:30): My question is to the Minister for Education and Child Development. When the mother of a regional school rape victim requested specialist support from the minister's department, why did the department instead only offer '3 or 4 sessions' with a specialist and only then on the basis that the mother sign an indemnity with a department lawyer?

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Education and Child Development) (14:31): As I advised the house a minute ago, this is a matter that I am advised was first brought to my attention yesterday, and we have taken—

Mr Pisoni: Monday, you were told.

The SPEAKER: It seems the member for Unley may already know the answer to this, so I am not sure why he has asked the minister.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: I take this constituent seriously, so I am going to give a serious answer. The moment it was brought to our attention—and we are dealing with a matter that occurred nearly two years ago—we are taking the matter seriously. I can't confirm precisely what transpired nearly two years ago, but what I can assure the house is that officers are meeting with this mother, literally as we speak, so I endeavour to get to the bottom of what has transpired.