Child Protection

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:40): Supplementary, sir.

The SPEAKER: Supplementary, leader.

Mr MARSHALL: Has the police minister received his own legal advice that he should refuse to answer questions regarding his knowledge on this matter in the public or in the parliament?

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light—Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:40): I thank the member for his question. I can just confirm what my colleague has advised the house. The advice to me by the police is to make no public comment about this matter. I can just reaffirm the public statement made by police yesterday, to say that:

SAPOL's advice to government remains unchanged, and that is they should not take any action that may lead to the identification of possible victims, witnesses, impede on the investigation or be prejudicial to the prosecution. I am satisfied that the government's position in relation to the release of details has been consistent with the advice provided by SAPOL.

I quote directly from the police commissioner's statement yesterday. So, in regards to this matter, obviously the issues which are important are the welfare of the victims involved and, secondly, their families, and also the issue of not impeding the investigation and to not prejudice any prosecution. I would rather that the opposition thought I was not answering the question than do something which would be an injustice to those children.