Child Protection Legislation

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (15:09): Under standing order 107, I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question to the Leader of the Government in this place on the Malinauskas government's willingness to negotiate with this Legislative Council.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: It has been reported in The Advertiser today that child protection minister, Katrine Hildyard, is refusing to 'compromise' on new laws—on the child protection legislation—specifically refusing to negotiate on the best interests of the child being a paramount principle. South Australia is currently completely out of step with every other jurisdiction in this nation and indeed the courts of our nation in regard to our relegation of best interests of the child, which, of course, include protecting children from harm but many other categories.

My question therefore to the Leader of the Government in this place is: will the Malinauskas government negotiate with this council on legislation even if the child protection minister won't?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (15:10): I thank the honourable member for her question. It is neither my portfolio area, nor am I the minister that represents the minister in that area here. Being involved with debates and discussions in the Legislative Council in one way or another for some time since being a Chief of Staff—since I think 2002, so a couple of decades now—one thing I am absolutely certain of is that there will be robust discussions held in this chamber on any proposal potentially that is brought before it, and all members will have their say on what they think the best way forward is in their view for any proposal that is brought here.