STATUTES AMENDMENT (ANTI-BULLYING) BILL

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 15 November 2012.)

Mrs GERAGHTY (Torrens) (10:55): I have had a look at the Hansard and where my speech was broken I was talking about the government being committed to tackling the problem of bullying. I will go on to say that the interagency round table on bullying in the workplace was established in 2005 with the aim of drawing together the experience of non-government and government agencies currently involved in the provision of advocacy, information and advice, or investigation of workplace bullying. The resulting Stop Bullying in SA initiative provides practical advice to both employees and employers, and advocates on the stamping out of bullying in South Australian workplaces.

In early 2011, the then minister for education (the Hon. Jay Weatherill) commissioned Mr Bill Cossey AM to review aspects of Department of Education and Children's Services processes and procedures relating to bullying and violence in schools. The Cossey report delivered in May 2011 makes 14 recommendations in relation to DECS processes and procedures and raises six policy matters for DECS to note. All recommendations are supported or broadly supported. In general terms, they provide for: strengthening procedures where incidents of violence occur, both to ensure parents are involved at an early stage and that there is proper involvement of police; strengthening the role of the existing coalition to decrease bullying, harassment and violence in South Australian schools; raising the profile of bullying policies in schools; and greater monitoring of bullying behaviour.

The government agrees with much of the reasoning behind the honourable member for Fisher's bill. We admire his efforts to bring attention to this extremely important issue and agree that this is a problem deserving targeted legislation. We see a real need to target the growing trend of cyber bullying and we have put forward proposed new laws to address the need. However, we respectfully do not agree that the proposed amendments contained in this bill will make the necessary changes to provide justice to victims.

The Hon. R.B. SUCH (Fisher) (10:58): I believe we should vote on some of these measures if people do not want to talk on them in order to get them off the Notice Paper. I believe this is a good bill. I understand the government is saying, 'Look, we don't need it.' That is ironic, because this bill covers bullying in all situations: schools, factories—anywhere. It is ironic, because the federal government has been saying recently that the current bullying laws are not adequate or comprehensive enough, yet here we have a bill which seeks to do that, but on current indications I do not believe it will get support.

Bullying is a serious matter and, as I say, it occurs in a whole range of places—in community groups. I have had people come to me about it, and I will not refer to one that I think is currently before the court, but bullying can occur in groups such as community groups and amongst volunteers. It can occur anywhere. What I am seeking to do is address what I see as gaps in the system because I do not believe the current law deals with all areas where bullying can occur, and that is why I put this bill forward. It is obviously up to the house whether or not it wants to support it, but that was the intention.

Second reading negatived.