Child Protection

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:27): Supplementary question: has the minister asked the review to examine whether or not she asked her chief executive whether or not she would be doing her job?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning and Local Government) (14:27): I might—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Premier has the call. The Deputy Premier will be heard in silence.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would invite the Leader of the Opposition and, indeed, any other members who haven't yet viewed the terms of reference and the particulars of that, including that, as Attorney-General, I was responsible for providing the instruction and appointment of Paul Rice QC, a former judge of the District Court, to do so. He is due to report that to me as Attorney-General and, of course, we look forward to those recommendations, which are to make the assessment as to, inter alia, what protocols are in place and what, if any, need to be amended and/or improved.

I think the public of South Australia were very concerned to hear through our criminal courts process that persons had been brought through the criminal courts and there were victims involved who were children and, more specifically in the two cases referred to, children under the guardianship of the state and, in particular, the chief executive officer of the department. So these are important matters. That review is underway and, as of the 9^th, I would expect to receive that report. It will be considered by government. I think all of South Australia wants to know what needs to be done, if anything, and as a government we are certainly keen to know.

As best as can be with these things, the information about these circumstances and what action should be taken will doubtless be canvassed here in the parliament, especially if there is any other regulatory or statutory reform required. It is a serious matter, and I would just ask all the members in the house to be assured that when we have that report our government will be reviewing and acting on it as quickly as possible. Doubtless, it will be the subject of further discussion in this parliament.