Question Time

CHILD PROTECTION

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen—Leader of the Opposition) (14:04): My question is to the Premier. During his time as education minister, was the Premier made aware in any way by any person not mentioned in his ministerial statement on Tuesday of the rape of an eight year old in a western suburbs school? The Premier's ministerial statement stated that his staff at the time of the incident maintained that he was not advised, but this does not rule out receiving information from anyone else, including departmental officers.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: Point of order, Madam Speaker. I haven't raised it before because I don't want to be seen to be interfering, but this is exactly the same question again—we have had three days in a row.

Mrs Redmond: It's not the same question!

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: Well, it is. I ask you to look at the question, madam. I ask the opposition to stretch their minds and think of a new question.

Mrs Redmond interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I don't think that is justification for asking the same question, leader, but—

Mr GARDNER: Madam Speaker, point of order: the question is clearly different.

The SPEAKER: I haven't finished with that question at this stage. I will allow the question. Minister, do you want to answer it?

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Education and Child Development) (14:06): I am very happy to answer the question because I am the minister, I am the minister now—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: —and all of the matters in relation to events that occurred in 2010 are currently the subject of a very significant review by His Honour Justice Debelle.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: We have gone outside government, and we have gone to a person whose reputation is beyond question, and he will advise us in relation to the specifics of the event that has occurred in relation to that particular school and would generally in relation to any broader policy or systemic issues that he cares to reflect on.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Port Adelaide.