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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-11-23 Daily Xml
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CHILD'S DEATH

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg) (14:17): My question is to the Minister for Education and Child Development. My question is about the process her department undertook in relation to an alleged case of child abuse. Immediately after being informed of the death of a four-month-old baby earlier this month, did the minister instigate an immediate internal review of what interaction her department had with this family and why a notification made by the Women's and Children's Hospital was not followed up and acted upon?

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Education and Child Development) (14:18): There is no question that the death of any child in our community is devastating and it is a tragedy. In fact, yesterday, I tabled the annual report of the Child Death and Serious Injury Review Committee—a committee that we, in fact, set up as part of our commitment to the Layton review. I want to acknowledge the work of the former minister, the member for Ashford, as it was she who commissioned the report.

I have said publicly, and I am going to say it again in this place, that this matter is currently before the police, which is exactly where it belongs for now. The family was known to Families SA, and I have given public assurances and assurances to this place that all these questions, which are absolutely appropriate, will be answered; but for now, we need to let the police do their job.

Mr WILLIAMS: Point of order. I am somewhat concerned that the police are investigating whether the department for families and communities, or the minister, indeed, ordered a review. Is that what the minister is telling the house, because that is what the question was?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! There was no point of order there. Minister, you have finished your answer?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

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