CHILD PROTECTION INQUIRY

Mr MARSHALL (Norwood—Leader of the Opposition) (14:27): No, I move on, sir. My question is to the Premier. As the Premier exempted himself from cabinet because of his involvement in the case at the centre of the Debelle inquiry, how is it appropriate that prior to their preparation for cabinet, the terms of reference for the Debelle inquiry were sent for consideration to the very staff under investigation?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Treasurer, Minister for State Development, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for the Arts) (14:28): I thank the honourable member for his question. The relevant terms of reference were settled by cabinet. That is who settled the terms of reference, and it was appropriate that the Minister for Education's office was dealing with them, because that is where the inquiry initiated, but the matter was sent to cabinet, and cabinet signed off on those terms of reference. The inquiry was a thorough inquiry. A very substantial report has been prepared with 42 recommendations, upon which the government is acting.