Child Protection

Mr TEAGUE (Heysen) (14:59): My question is to the Minister for Child Protection. When was the minister advised of a police investigation in respect of six-year-old Charlie's death?

The Hon. K.A. HILDYARD (Reynell—Minister for Child Protection, Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:59): I thank the member for his question. I believe that I answered this question on a couple of other occasions. In answering it again today, can I first of all say how sorry I am and how much I have been thinking about the loved ones of Charlie and of all those in our community who are affected by those horrific circumstances.

As I also said in an answer to this house just a couple of days ago and also a couple of months ago, on coming to government and on being made the minister I was utterly shocked by the lack of thoroughness in terms of a notification procedure that the former minister had in relation to significant incidents and her notification of those incidents when they arose from her department, so I immediately set out on a course of changing that notification procedure.

Mr TEAGUE: Point of order.

The SPEAKER: There is a point of order from the member for Heysen which I will hear under 134.

Mr TEAGUE: It might be unsurprising that it's standing order 98. It was a very specific, straightforward question and continuing a line of very specific, straightforward questions—no answer, no substantive answer, and a repeated series of broad statements, none of which are apposite.

The SPEAKER: I think I have the—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I certainly would welcome any submission in relation to the point of order that the minister would wish to make. Does the minister wish to address me in relation to the point of order?

The Hon. K.A. Hildyard: No.

The SPEAKER: I will listen carefully. I have 98 well in mind. I will turn to—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I have in mind standing order 131 which prevents interruption.

The Hon. K.A. HILDYARD: As I was saying, and as I articulated a couple of days ago, I went about changing the notification procedure so that I had an opportunity to review more deeply circumstances relating to significant incidents and to ask thorough questions and be notified about the wellbeing of any other children who may be around significant incidents and—

Mr TEAGUE: Point of order, Mr Speaker.

The SPEAKER: There is a point of order which I will hear under 134. I do observe that question time has itself expired but not the time for answering the question.

Mr TEAGUE: It's a very short time indeed and may I say, Mr Speaker, not only is it a very specific question but it is asked in the context of a very specific series of dates.

The SPEAKER: 98, member for Heysen?

Mr TEAGUE: 98(b)—15 July through 19 July is the time period that we are all aware we are talking about.

The SPEAKER: Yes.

Mr TEAGUE: It begs of a precise answer.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I have 98 well in mind. Minister, I will bring you to the question. The minister has concluded her answer?

The Hon. K.A. Hildyard: Sure.

The SPEAKER: The minister has concluded her answer.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!