Child Protection, Rice Inquiry

Ms HILDYARD (Reynell) (14:51): My question is to the Minister for Child Protection. Given the multiple failings outlined in Judge Rice's review, why has no disciplinary action been taken against anyone?

The SPEAKER: The Deputy Premier.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Deputy Premier, resume your seat.

Ms Cook interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Hurtle Vale will leave for 15 minutes in accordance with standing order 137A.

The honourable member for Hurtle Vale having withdrawn from the chamber:

The SPEAKER: The Deputy Premier has the call.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning and Local Government) (14:52): The terms of reference of the inquiry for Mr Rice QC were to undertake a number of things, including an assessment as to what happened or failed to happen and as to why there was no reporting to the senior levels, including to the minister, in respect of the two young girls who are referred to as C1 and C2 in the report. That report is comprehensive. Although it had been requested to be done in a fairly short time, it has been done.

Six recommendations have come forward; none of them include disciplinary action by any party in the department or otherwise. That is a matter of course for Mr Rice as to why he would or not. The fact is he didn't. He has made his six recommendations and we have taken it. There is nothing in his report that identifies any person or persons who are directly responsible for the failure to send that information up the line.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN: There is no reference to anyone in relation to disciplinary action. I do refer the member to a separate reference by Mr Rice, which indicated in respect of future matters of potential negligence or failing to comply with, even at the negligence level, a guideline or a procedure as to whether that is misconduct under the code of conduct.

That has been referred to the commissioner for public employment. He asked that that occur. To the best of my knowledge, that has actually already occurred but, if it hasn't, it is on its way to Ms Ranieri to obviously consider the matters that he thinks are worth looking at. There is no recommendation in the report that disciplinary action be taken by any person and that is the position. To the best of my knowledge, there has been no indication either to Mr Rice or to the government from the chief executive that she proposes to take any action.