Safeguarding Taskforce

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:27): My question is to the Premier. Does the Premier's disability task force have any investigative authority or power to be able to call evidence or obtain documents?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General) (14:27): No, they don't have coercive powers. There's been no legislation to provide—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: —for that. It's not a royal commission, but it is a task force. But, quite clearly, in relation to the agencies, both federal and state, as we are cooperating with the federal inquiry to make sure that—

Mr Malinauskas interjecting:

The SPEAKER: We have the question, leader.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: I know that the Leader of the Opposition interrupts to suggest that they've got a proper one; I assume he means the federal agency. I'm not sure what powers they have. I did read quite a comprehensive press release in relation to Alan Robertson SC's inquiry arrangements when a press release was released by the federal minister. What we have made clear as a state agency is we will assist them in relation to their inquiry, which is to look at services which were directly affected by them, and we would expect similarly, in relation to any gaps in relation to agencies that the task force are going to look at, to have that same cooperation.