CHILD EMPLOYMENT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (15:21): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Industrial Relations a question on child employment in law enforcement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: On page 6 of the annual report of the Office of the Employee Ombudsman tabled this week, it is noted that the Office of the Employee Ombudsman, in the preceding year, became aware of a program by a government department, specifically, I understand, the Department for Health, utilising children to determine compliance with public health regulations. Put simply, children are being used to test retailers by attempting to illegally purchase cigarettes. I understand from media reports that the participation by children in this employment has included both paid and voluntary work and remuneration by way of gift cards or vouchers and, more recently, in the form of wages.

Significantly, the Ombudsman has expressed strong concern for the potential implications for these children, or other children, and recommended that 'children be proscribed from participation in law enforcement activity in this state'. Media responses I have observed from the Minister for Health indicate that this recommendation is likely to be rejected by the government. I stress this question is not on the merits of measures to address underage smoking. My concerns here are regarding the broader employment conditions of these children and other children who may be employed in law enforcement in this state. Therefore, my questions to the Minister for Industrial Relations are:

1. When were the Office of the Employee Ombudsman's concerns regarding children participating in law enforcement first brought to your attention as Minister for Industrial Relations?

2. What actions and responses to these concerns have you, as Minister for Industrial Relations, initiated or implemented?

3. Is the practice of child involvement in law enforcement confined only to the Department for Health, or is the minister aware of other instances in other arms of state government?

4. What is the scope, including the number, the ages, the employment status and, where applicable, relevant awards of the children who have been involved in law enforcement in South Australia in the past year?

5. How likely are any of these children to be required to attend court and give evidence and, where applicable, will that giving of evidence be linked to any further remuneration or reward?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:23): I would like to thank the honourable member for her very important questions. You cover quite a few areas there. I think the actual question is very important and it deserves a thorough answer, so I will have my department prepare a report and get that to you very shortly.