Child Protection

Ms HILDYARD (Reynell) (14:47): My question is to the Minister for Child Protection. What is deemed a critical incident?

The Hon. R. SANDERSON (Adelaide—Minister for Child Protection) (14:47): As the member would be well aware, we recently had the Rice review, which was a report into significant incident reporting, which is continuing and is underway currently. I can give the member an update on how the Rice review is going. On 16 February 2021—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. R. SANDERSON: —the Attorney-General tabled the final report of the Rice review in parliament. Redactions in the report were made to protect the identities of children. There were recommendations. I will just go further to the part that it was regarding. We have taken it further than was actually expected. Recommendations of the Rice review included:

That the Chief Executive be asked to develop instructions and guidance that ensure that the Minister and senior Department officers are advised as soon as reasonably possible of any allegation of a serious criminal act against a client of the Department.

And that recommendation 12, which was the Allen report, be implemented:

That the Chief Executive be asked to ensure department policies and directions to staff are unambiguously clear that incidents likely to attract media interest, and any approaches from the media, are reported to the Minister, the Chief Executive and the responsible division head as quickly as possible. Guidelines distinguishing ‘high’ and ‘low’ importance matters will need to be developed to ensure 'good news travels fast, bad news travels faster'.

Recommendation 3:

3. That the Minister advise the Chief Executive, in writing, about what events/incidents about which she wants to be informed. This process should take place when the Minister takes office and be reviewed on an on-going…basis.

4. That the Chief Executive undertake a comprehensive staff education programme directed towards a knowledge and use of the existing Incident Management Procedure.

5. That consideration be given by the Government to increasing the maximum penalty for a breach of Written Directions to 3 years (for a first contravention) and 4 years (for second and subsequent contraventions).

6. That consideration be given by the Government that a person arrested for breach of Written Directions, be a 'prescribed applicant' for the purposes of the Bail Act, 1985.

This is ongoing. My department just recently gave feedback on the suggested new incident reporting procedure. It is still underway and I will get back to the house.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The leader!