Legislative Council Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3) 51 3 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Education Department EDUCATION DEPARTMENT The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE Legislative Council EDUCATION DEPARTMENT The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE (15:12): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Gambling, representing the Minister for Education, a question about education department bureaucracy. Leave granted. The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE Legislative Council The Hon. R.L. BROKENSHIRE: A constituent has contacted me concerned about the welfare of his son, who I will call 'Brad' for the purpose of this question, although that is not his real name. Brad was racially abused at a particular school in the metropolitan area to the extent that Brad's father, on psychological advice, withdrew him from the school. That same psychological advice recommended that Brad be reunited with his primary school friends at a particular public school. Brad's father has requested that Brad be transferred to that school to improve his mental health. Based on psychological advice, Brad is not attending his old school and unfortunately, therefore, has not been attending school for approximately eight weeks. The department, if it holds a view contrary to the treating psychologist, has not even sought an independent assessment of Brad for over eight weeks. My questions are: 1.	Why has the minister taken so long to consider this request? 2.	Will the minister grant to Brad forthwith a transfer to the school where it is considered his psychological condition will considerably improve? The Hon. G.E. GAGO Legislative Council Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy) (15:14): I thank the honourable member for his most important questions. I will refer his questions to the Minister for Education in another place and bring back a response.