Child Abuse in Schools

The Hon. J.S. LEE (14:44): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question to the Minister for Emergency Services and Correctional Services, representing the Minister for Education, about failures to prevent abuse in schools.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S. LEE: Recently, a half a million dollar lawsuit against the state government was filed by a former student of the Kadina Memorial School accusing the government of negligence and vicarious liability and alleging that the school's inaction allowed teacher Thomas Robert Ackland to continuously abuse him over a number of years. The former student alleges that the school was aware of Ackland's inappropriate conduct as early as April or May 2018 but failed to take adequate action to prevent further abuse.

Following this, a whistleblower and a former staff member of the school has reported to The Advertiser that the school had actively tried to discourage conversations about Mr Ackland's abuse of students. The whistleblower also claimed that even after the school learnt of Mr Ackland's actions he was retained in a senior position and that students, parents and police received inadequate support from the school. The whistleblower also said:

I believe it is important to highlight the lack of support provided to victims and families, the silencing of staff and students, and the failure to pass information to police.

And that she was:

…speaking out to ensure the state government and the school were 'made accountable' for their decisions surrounding the case.

My questions for the minister are:

1. Does the government agree that systemic failures within both the school and the Department for Education led to the inaction and silencing of staff and students which allowed the abuse to continue over a number of years?

2. What new policies will the government introduce to ensure that adequate safeguards and accountability processes are put in place to protect students from abuse?

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (Minister for Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Autism, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:46): I thank the member for her question, and I will pass it on to the minister in the other place.