Children in State Care

Ms STINSON (Badcoe) (14:52): My question is to the Minister for Child Protection. Does the minister concede that she has broken her promise to reduce the number of children in care when it has gone up by 457 since she has been a minister?

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Point of order: allegation of facts, but also argument.

The SPEAKER: Broken promise? If you can't say that in here, what can you say? Minister for Child Protection, I am going to give you an opportunity to answer.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The minister has the call, and if members on my left do not be quiet, they will be leaving. Minister.

The Hon. R. SANDERSON (Adelaide—Minister for Child Protection) (14:53): As I mentioned in my previous answer, the number of children coming into care in the last financial year was 8 per cent, and that is around the average number for the last five years—

Ms Stinson: That's an increase.

The SPEAKER: The member for Badcoe can leave for the remainder of question time.

The Hon. R. SANDERSON: —so, no, I have not broken a promise.

The SPEAKER: The member for Badcoe will leave in silence, and when she does the member for Lee might get a question.

The honourable member for Badcoe having withdrawn from the chamber:

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Leader, quiet. Deputy leader, I have been far too generous to you this week. You are called to order and warned. Member for Lee.