Child Protection Department

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN (Lee) (15:04): My question is to the Minister for Child Protection. Can the minister explain to the house why the minister's department spent nearly $8 million on targeted voluntary separation packages for over 90 full-time equivalent staff in the first two years of this government if there were ongoing staff vacancies? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.C. MULLIGHAN: Information provided in response to questions on notice to the Treasurer indicates that $7.841 million was spent on targeted voluntary separation packages to 91.2 FTE equivalent staff in the Department for Child Protection.

The Hon. R. SANDERSON (Adelaide—Minister for Child Protection) (15:05): What I can say is that my department has more staff than it has ever had before.