Foster and Kinship Care

The Hon. S.L. GAME (14:51): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question to the Attorney-General, currently representing the Minister for Child Protection, on the matter of foster and kinship carers.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.L. GAME: The Independent Inquiry into Foster and Kinship Care report closed for submissions in May this year. The Malinauskas government, via the minister, advised in writing on 10 July that they intended the report to be released in September. Carers have told me they have heard nothing and no update from the department, the minister or the Premier. There are only a handful of sitting days left in parliament this year. To date, the minister has not alerted the parliament to a need for extension of time as required under section 169A(3)(d) of the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017. My questions to the Attorney-General representing the minister are:

1. What is the time line for the release of the Independent Inquiry into Foster and Kinship Care report?

2. What opportunity this sitting year will carers, advocates and indeed us here in parliament have to inquire the findings and recommendations of the report when it is released?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:52): I thank the honourable member for her question. I will be happy to refer that to my colleague in another place and bring back a reply.