Commissioner for Children and Young People

In reply to the Hon. T.A. FRANKS (9 February 2016).

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change): The Minister for Education and Child Development has received this advice:

1. The government's Child Development and Wellbeing Bill, including provisions for a South Australian Commissioner for Children and Young People, was introduced into parliament on 19 June 2014 and passed the House of Assembly on 25 September 2014. The bill was subsequently introduced in the Legislative Council in late 2014 and restored to the Legislative Council's Notice Paper in 2015, following the prorogation of parliament at the end of 2014.

In March 2015, the Minister for Education and Child Development announced that the bill will be put on hold pending the outcomes of the Child Protection Systems Royal Commission. This was also reported in the media on 25 March 2015.

This decision was made in order to ensure the functions of a South Australian Commissioner for Children and Young People align with, and do not duplicate, any proposed legislative change about the child protection system to be recommended by the royal commission. The royal commission's report is due by 5 August 2016.