Public School Security

The Hon. S.L. GAME (15:02): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before directing a question to the Attorney-General regarding the employment of security personnel in state schools.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.L. GAME: The Department for Education continues to assure parents and the community that its behaviour support policy and bullying prevention strategy are evidence based. The Advertiser reported that $59,000 was spent on security guards in 2020, $137,000 in 2021, and the department then advised under freedom of information that over $815,000 was spent on security patrols in public schools in 2022. I asked the Attorney-General back in August to reveal the evidence that the policy and strategy is working. The department took 56 days to respond, instead of the required 30 days, and only partly released the information requested. My questions to the Attorney-General are:

1. Is the increased spending on security guards evidence that the evidence-based bullying prevention strategy programs do not work and, if not, why not?

2. How many schoolchildren have been assaulted each year in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023?

3. What is the cost of the student safety program?

4. What is the evidence supporting the department's policy and strategy?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:03): I thank the honourable member for her question. As I am sure she appreciates, I will refer them to the Minister for Education in the other place and, as much as is possible with the records they have, bring back a reply.