School Absenteeism

Mr GARDNER (Morialta) (14:39): Supplementary: what data does the department capture at a broad level? Does the department capture information relating to the number of children absent from school because of illness and, indeed, because of other unexplained absences?

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Minister for Education and Child Development, Minister for Higher Education and Skills) (14:40): Yes, and I will make sure that the more detailed answer to the previous question and to this are put into one answer for the house. My memory is that there are very broad categories of explained personal reasons, illness, but I will ensure that that is accurate and provide it to the house. I don't have that entirely clearly in my head.