House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-11-15 Daily Xml

Contents

CHILD PROTECTION

Mr PISONI (Unley) (14:29): My question is to the Minister for Education and Child Development. What are the powers and protections of the Debelle inquiry to be? Parents and departmental officers wish to know whether the inquiry will have judicial powers to require persons to give evidence, whether evidence will be on oath and whether any evidence will have protection from actions resulting from evidence and statements made.

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:29): The answer is that the inquiry by Mr Debelle will be receiving every bit of assistance that Mr Debelle requires. I have had discussions with Mr Debelle, as has, I think, the Minister for Education. My focus has been on exactly the matters that the honourable member raises in his question, and I am presently satisfied that Mr Debelle will be adequately tooled and, if he is not, he is to come to me and ask me for whatever assistance he requires.