Safeguarding Taskforce

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:32): New question: the minister has claimed that media reporting on this issue has been inaccurate. Minister, what exactly has been inaccurate, or are you just casting general slurs at those seeking to hold the government to account?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:33): The reporting of the task force in today's paper was inaccurate. There may well be other comments—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: Because it said that the terms of reference weren't available, and they have—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: They weren't publicly available—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: They had been circulating with the committee. This is quite a natural process that—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. E.S. Bourke: You are quoted right here, on radio.

The PRESIDENT: Order! I can't hear the minister.

The Hon. E.S. Bourke: I can provide it if you like.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Ms Bourke! I cannot hear the minister's answer.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: Members of the task force have been trying to correct the record today, saying, 'What on earth were they talking about? What on earth was this reporting that the terms of reference didn't exist?' I think that was the implication. That is highly inaccurate. My other concern is in relation to—

The Hon. E.S. Bourke: No, a final terms of reference. You can have a draft. Is it the final?

The PRESIDENT: Order, the Hon. Ms Bourke!

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: My other concerns relate to a lot of supposition that has taken place by various individuals which I think it is fair to say is unhelpful, given that this terrible and tragic death is now a major crime. I think it behoves us all to stick to the facts that have been established rather than engage in supposition.