Child Sex Offenders, Superannuation Legislation

The Hon. L.A. HENDERSON (15:23): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Attorney-General a question regarding child sexual abuse.

Leave granted.

The Hon. L.A. HENDERSON: Earlier this year, the Liberal opposition brought a motion to this parliament that ultimately passed, calling on the Malinauskas Labor government to urge their federal counterparts to adopt a policy addressing the legal loophole around superannuation for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.

I note the discussion paper from 19 January 2023 and the close of the consultation period on 16 February 2023. It's my understanding from media reports that the government had intended to bring legislation to the parliament within the first half of 2023 but to my understanding has not yet done so. My question to the minister is: has the minister been provided with an indication from his federal counterparts as to when this legislation will be introduced, noting the government said they would bring it in the first half of 2023 and, of course, the motion that passed this parliament earlier this year?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:25): I thank the honourable member for her question. I am very pleased that the federal government has announced that they will be taking action in relation to this—I note the former federal government didn't. I am also very pleased that we as a state Labor government have advocated directly to the federal government to take action on this. We haven't just put motions in a parliament in South Australia telling ourselves what we think should happen, we actually contacted the federal government.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: We actually contacted the federal government—

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: —numerous times ourselves. I would be really interested for the opposition—and perhaps this will be by way of a supplementary question—to explain the number of times that they actually directly advocated to the federal government, which is responsible for superannuation, to make these changes. How many times—

An honourable member interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: —they have done that.