Working with Children Checks

Ms PRATT (Frome) (14:28): My question is to the Minister for Human Services. Is the minister taking action to reduce processing times for working with children checks applications and, if so, what? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Ms PRATT: I have been contacted by a constituent who applied to the Department of Human Services for a working with children check on 10 August this year. That application has not been processed, and 14 weeks later my constituent is still unable to get a job that requires it.

Mr Whetstone: Give them a call.

The SPEAKER: Order! Minister.

The Hon. N.F. COOK (Hurtle Vale—Minister for Human Services) (14:29): Thanks very much for the question. I am happy to follow up the specifics, but I understand I have signed a letter back to you this week regarding a constituent. There are many reasons that—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. N.F. COOK: They are feisty today, aren't they?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. N.F. COOK: There are many reasons why some checks can take a longer period of time, but I understand and I am happy to get the exact time frame—

The Hon. D.G. Pisoni: Such as?

The Hon. N.F. COOK: You right?

The Hon. D.G. Pisoni: What are the reasons they take a long time?

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley is warned. And the member for Chaffey, before he interjects, is on a final warning. Minister.

The Hon. N.F. COOK: There are many reasons why—

The Hon. D.G. Pisoni: So you're not telling us what the reasons are?

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley is warned.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Elizabeth!

The Hon. N.F. COOK: Yes, many reasons can be behind protracted times in terms of approval and, of course, as I said, I would be happy to follow through the specific—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. N.F. COOK: I would be happy to—

Ms Pratt: There has been a delay; the delay is not acceptable.

The SPEAKER: Member for Frome!

The Hon. N.F. COOK: It's your question time. I am very happy to—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. N.F. COOK: There are various reasons and often those are challenging reasons for the person waiting for the check, and—

Ms Pratt: She has been waiting a long time, and it's not her fault.

The SPEAKER: Member for Frome!

The Hon. N.F. COOK: —I am not privy to all of the individual circumstances around the person's check itself and the details as to why there would—

Ms Pratt: It was direct to the department.

The SPEAKER: Order!

Ms Savvas interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Newland! The minister has the call.

The Hon. N.F. COOK: I might just start again, I think. I understand there has been an inquiry from your office. I believe I have signed off on that response. I am happy to chase up an individual case. I did so not long ago for the member for Colton and that was remedied fairly quickly, I understand, but there are reasons—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Members interjecting:

The Hon. N.F. COOK: Oh, 'Hang on, off the record'—

Mr Whetstone interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Chaffey!

The Hon. N.F. COOK: There are often—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Members interjecting:

The Hon. N.F. COOK: You could give them a job in your office, if you like, if you're that worried. But anyway, there are many reasons. I am happy to follow up the individual case—wow, every time my mouth moves, the mouth moves opposite. Are you listening?

The SPEAKER: Minister, it is better not to respond.

The Hon. N.F. COOK: I think I have answered enough. Well done, thanks.