CHILD PROTECTION

Mr PISONI (Unley) (14:28): A supplementary if I may, sir.

The SPEAKER: Supplementary.

Mr PISONI: Has the minister's office procedure been altered and improved since issues relating to the rape of an eight year old at a western suburbs school were not actioned by the former education minister, now the Premier?

Mrs Geraghty: You're a disgrace.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Education and Child Development, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (14:28): I concur with the member for Torrens' comments and I hope they have been recorded in Hansard. I have made the same comment myself on radio on occasion. We have implemented an inquiry into the case that the member for Unley refers to and, whilst that is underway, we have implemented and/or are about to announce up to 10 initiatives in relation to strengthening procedures in relation to teachers, people who work in the department, access to schools through contractors and other service providers. We take this seriously. That is on the back of massive reforms that have been undertaken since we have been in government. So, rather than getting around just trying to grab a cheap headline, we have actually been doing things.

Mr PISONI: Point of order: I think the minister is clearly debating.

The SPEAKER: Yes, I uphold the member for Unley's point of order. The minister did debate at the end there, and I believe the minister has now finished.

Mr PISONI: I have a supplementary, sir.

The SPEAKER: WelI, I was hoping to call the deputy leader in accordance with the opposition's list.

Mr PISONI: I have a supplementary, if I may, sir.

The SPEAKER: Okay, supplementary.