Autism

The Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:29): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Assistant Minister to the Premier (the parliamentary secretary) a question in relation to autism.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S. LEE: Labor's autism plan for schools election policy document included a commitment that Labor in government will increase autism-qualified staff in preschools by making a qualification in teaching students on the autism spectrum a preferred criterion for appointment to preschools. My questions to the parliamentary secretary to the Premier are:

1. How many extra staff have been placed in public preschools with qualifications in supporting students with autism since the election?

2. Has the department delivered any aspects of Labor's promise that autism qualifications will be a preferred criterion for appointment to preschools?

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (14:30): I thank the honourable member for her question and her great interest in these portfolios. As the member knows, I am not the Minister for Education or early childcare support, so I am happy to take those questions on notice.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE: I am responsible for advocating for the autistic and autism community. I am happy to redirect that question to the appropriate minister. I am really grateful for you asking this question today, because we should be focusing on where we are going with this policy and making sure that we have a start on what we are doing to support this community—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE: —because we know in South Australia—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Members on both sides! Parliamentary secretary, sit down, please. Members on both sides, I can't hear the parliamentary secretary's answer.

The Hon. H.M. Girolamo: She's not answering it anyway.

The PRESIDENT: Order! Please continue, and I would like to hear the answer.

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE: As I was saying earlier, it is important that we do find ways to provide that early support. We know there is a gap in knowledge outside the autistic and autism community about what autism is. If we don't start to bridge that gap, we can't make a difference in our community. We know—

The Hon. N.J. Centofanti interjecting:

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE: I dare say we are doing a fair bit more than you ever did. You guys don't even believe in the portfolio.

The PRESIDENT: Responding to interjections is out of order.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Leader of the Opposition!

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE: I am happy to take that question on notice, but while I have the opportunity to share some important statistics about autism, we know, through surveys undertaken by the autistic community—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE: —that 84 per cent of people know the word 'autism' but only 29 per cent of people have a great understanding and knowledge of autism, and that is why we have created these policies to make sure that we can start supporting kids at an earlier age.