Child Protection

188 The Hon. S.L. GAME ().30 November 2022).

1. Does the minister consider the recent case of three young Aboriginal children (mentioned on page 13 of the Sunday Mail, 13 November 2022) to be state sanctioned parental alienation?

2. Has the government considered the impact upon the mental health of children and young people when told they will not be reunited with their biological parents for extended periods of time as this case above?

3. Has the minister (in his role as Attorney-General) referred parental alienating behaviours as a matter to the South Australian Law Reform Institute as per discussion in September?

4. With whom has the minister (in his role as Attorney-General) raise the issue of parental alienating behaviours as agreed?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector): The Minister for Child Protection has advised in regard to questions 1 and 2:

If a child or young person enters care to ensure their safety, the Department for Child Protection will assess if their needs for safety, wellbeing and permanency of care are best met through reunification with their family or through a long term placement in care. Under the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017, which is currently under review, the department must make timely decisions about the care arrangements of children and young people, in order to promote permanency and stability.

Regarding questions 3 and 4, the member seems to have a different recollection of what was discussed at a brief private discussion on this matter.

The government is considering the matter.