Child Protection

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:23): My question is to the Minister for Human Services regarding child safety. Minister, exactly what leadership have you shown in relation to repeated cases of rape, sexual assault and pregnancy of children in state care?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:24): I am a little bit perplexed about this particular question. As I stated in one of my previous questions—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Minister, resume your seat. I am tiring of members of the opposition asking questions and then the minister has hardly got a word out and there is an interjection.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The minister had hardly uttered a sentence and the deputy leader is interjecting, so I ask the minister to continue and she will be heard in silence.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: Thank you, Mr President. Once again, I think it's disappointing for the people of South Australia that the Labor Party is salivating over these issues—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. R.P. Wortley interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Wortley is out of order.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: —enjoying the pain—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Ms Bourke!

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: —using political means to continue—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. E.S. Bourke: When will you take responsibility?

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Ms Bourke is out of order.

The Hon. E.S. Bourke: It's absolutely outrageous.

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. E.S. Bourke: You talk about us more than you talk about yourself.

The PRESIDENT: If they don't want to listen to the answer we will move on to the next question.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: I am in your hands, Mr President.

The PRESIDENT: Minister, you conclude as you wish. The honourable Government Whip has the call.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Government Whip has the call,