Legislative Council Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1) 52 1 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Child Abuse and Neglect CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD Legislative Council CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (14:43): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the minister representing the Minister for Families and Communities a question regarding child neglect. Leave granted. The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD Legislative Council The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD: A couple of weeks ago the Supreme Court found three adults guilty in a case that received extensive media coverage of the neglect of five children who were left malnourished, emaciated and suffering from scabies and injuries. The maltreatment of these children was only uncovered when one child was admitted to hospital with hypothermia and a head injury. I note it was revealed in the Supreme Court and not previously during the hearing that the address where this occurred was occupied by more than 20 people, many of whom were recipients of welfare. My question to the minister is simply: does the department cross-reference information with federal departments concerning child welfare issues, and why wasn't the fact that 20 people were living at the same address detected and acted upon for the safety of these children? 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 for the City of Adelaide 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 for the City of Adelaide) (14:44): I thank the honourable member for his important question. I will refer it to the Minister for Families and Communities in another place and bring back a response.