Ministerial Statement

CHILD PROTECTION INQUIRY

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Education and Child Development, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (14:02): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: In July, 11 employees identified in the Debelle report were sent letters regarding their performance. Mr Harrison took charge of these disciplinary proceedings following his appointment as chief executive officer. Mr Harrison has today informed me that eight of the 11 matters are now complete. I am advised that, in one case, there was found to be no breach of conduct, while in five other cases, it was deemed that the employee performed unsatisfactorily by failing to undertake or complete a procedure or activity that was deemed reasonable and appropriate. Of these five cases, four employees have been counselled by the chief executive, and I understand that the remaining employee will be counselled in coming weeks.

As a result of the process undertaken by the chief executive, the deputy chief executive, Mr Gino DeGennaro, tendered his resignation on Monday, effective tomorrow. Further, Ms Jan Andrews will complete her service tomorrow as chief executive of the Office of Non-Government Schools. Of the remaining three cases, I am advised that further investigations have been undertaken to elicit additional information. These will be finalised as soon as practicable after appropriate consideration of the information uncovered.

In progressing these matters, the chief executive had a responsibility to ensure that the disciplinary process was conducted in accordance with the principles of natural justice, procedural fairness and appropriate privacy. In doing so, Mr Harrison took advice from the Crown Solicitor's Office. I want to reassure the house that the chief executive and I, along with the department, accept the findings of the Debelle royal commission, and we are quickly advancing the implementation of these recommendations.