Disability Justice Specialist Training Program

79 The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (25 October 2018). Can the Attorney-General advise:

1. What is the definition of a vulnerable witness in the Disability Justice Specialist Training Grant program?

2. How many witnesses required specialist interviewing skills in the period June 2015 to July 2018?

3. How many people left the pool of specialist interviewers in the period June 2015 to July 2018 and how were they replaced?

4. Where the current 150 specialist interviewers are employed now?

5. What consultation occurred before cutting this program?

6. Whether the Attorney-General is concerned that vulnerable witnesses will have poorer outcomes in the justice system as a result of this cut?

7. Whether the Attorney-General can guarantee that vulnerable witnesses will still be able to give evidence and that evidence will be admissible?

8. Whether the Attorney-General can guarantee that cases involving vulnerable witnesses will not experience additional delays?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer): The Attorney-General has provided the following advice:

1. Refer section 4 of the Evidence Act 1929.

2. Data is not available on the number of witnesses who have required specialist interviewing since 2015.

3. Data is not available on the movement of specialist interviewers since 2015. However, specialist interviewer training is undertaken by five agencies, being South Australia Police, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Education, SA Health and the Department for Child Protection. Between 2015 and 2018, 180 staff from these agencies completed the course.

4. There are currently 180 government employees who have completed the training. Of the current specialist interviewers: 103 are from SAPOL; four from the Department of Human Services; seven from the Department of Education; 43 from SA Health – Child Protection Services; and 23 from the Department for Child Protection.

5. The state budget is considered cabinet in confidence until budget day. Accordingly, this measure was not the subject of consultation with external stakeholders.

6. The five agencies approved now have sufficient capacity within their pool of trained staff to support forensic interviewing.

7. Vulnerable witnesses will still have access to specialist interviewers.

8. No delays are anticipated.