Education and Child Development Department Employees

Mr GARDNER (Morialta) (14:52): Supplementary: will the minister provide the parliament with details of how this prosecution came to be put forward? Why weren't the police brought in immediately once it was felt that charges needed to be laid?

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Minister for Education and Child Development, Minister for Higher Education and Skills) (14:53): There is a presumption there about an order of events that I am not sure the member is in a position to be so confident about. I will provide a briefing to the extent that it is possible to, without compromising the confidentiality of the student, the parent and the staff member involved. A statement can be provided to the house in order to clarify the situation. but I will not prejudice the employment of the individual who was charged and found not guilty, nor will I do anything that seeks to identify the child or the parents involved.