Child Protection

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:52): My question is to the Minister for Education and Child Development. Whom does the government propose to consult with to 'continue to explore whether there is a need and support for the consolidated secure therapeutic model of care', given that both the Mullighan and Nyland reports have consulted widely and have both recommended that we need a secure facility?

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Minister for Education and Child Development, Minister for Higher Education and Skills) (14:52): The recommendation previously made under the Layton report that there be a therapeutic model of care which involves a secure area, which means that the young person would be unable to leave at will, was not supported previously on the basis that the then Guardian for Children and Young People was not supportive of that model of care. She was concerned that it would be used in a way that was not ultimately beneficial to children and to young people whose liberty would be unduly restricted.

Subsequently, Justice Nyland has had another look at the question and has suggested that we ought to further explore it. The people we will be consulting in order to determine how to do this in the best way possible will, of course, be the now guardian and it will also be through the advocacy voices for children who have been in care or who remain in care at present. We will also be working with the health department, particularly for the management of mental health and drug issues, so that we will be able to have a model that is most beneficial for the young person. I believe we will also reach out to juvenile justice as part of that work. Once that work has been completed we will be in a position to determine how to go forward.