Child Protection

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:47): Thank you. My question is to the Minister for Education and Child Development. Given the royal commission referred to the need for a new—

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis interjecting:

Mr MARSHALL: —and refreshed leadership of the agency responsible for child protection—

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer is warned for the second and final time.

Mr MARSHALL: Would you like me to start that question again, sir?

The SPEAKER: Yes, I would.

Mr MARSHALL: Thank you. My question is to the Minister for Education and Child Development. Given the royal commission referred to the need for new and refreshed leadership of the agency responsible for child protection, why should you continue to be the minister responsible for this critically important role?

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Minister for Education and Child Development, Minister for Higher Education and Skills) (14:48): The royal commission report was very clearly silent on the question of ministerial responsibility. Had the royal commissioner wished to make a recommendation on ministerial allocation, she undoubtedly would have. What she talked about was the creation of a department and the appointment of a chief executive.

Mr MARSHALL: Supplementary, sir.

The SPEAKER: Has the Minister for Education finished her answer?

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE: Yes.

The SPEAKER: Leader, supplementary.