Child Protection

Ms SANDERSON (Adelaide) (15:25): My question is to the Minister for Education and Child Development. Does the minister support the decision of Families SA to condone the serious illicit drug use of Chloe Valentine's mother?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Education and Child Development) (15:26): Illicit drug taking is not condoned. It is an indicator of some issues in the family but I think it is universally accepted that children are much better off remaining with their families. The focus of the work that Families SA does is to, as best we can, maintain families because that's where children are better off. That is one thing that is taken into account, but let me just say that when situations arise that are not the best circumstance there are safety plans that are put in place, there are agreements that are made with families, family members, about what will occur under certain circumstances, agreements about restricting access to certain people that they may come in contact with otherwise, behaviours, a whole range of things. The fact is, there were many supports put around this particular family. It was recognised the mother was struggling and there were enormous supports put around her and that was recognised in her trial.