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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-07-24 Daily Xml
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CHILD PROTECTION

Mr PISONI (Unley) (14:18): My question is to the minister responsible for child protection. Has the minister inquired as to what the interstate accommodation arrangements were for the alleged child sex offender who drove a bus full of children interstate for five days as a gymnastics coach and team manager?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Education and Child Development, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (14:18): As the Attorney-General has just said, we became aware of the information that the member for Unley has been sitting on for a fortnight last night. I have real concerns about people sitting on information when they think children may be at risk, and it really does raise whether these people are concerned about the protection of our children or more concerned about getting a story in the paper.

Ms CHAPMAN: Point of order: clearly the minister is debating this matter but, in any event, the question was absolutely clear—

The SPEAKER: Yes, I know what the question was, and I will listen carefully to ensure that the answer is to the substance of the question. The minister.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Thank you, sir. It is important when you become aware of situations where children may be placed in danger to alert authorities to that, and I can give you an example. Whilst the member for Unley sat on this for a fortnight, on 5 May the member for Unley held a press conference outside the education building.

Ms CHAPMAN: Point of order: I know that you are listening carefully to what the minister has to say, but the question very clearly was to ask her has the minister inquired into this matter, not the obligation of any others, or anything else—

Mr Marshall: Or examples.

Ms CHAPMAN: —or examples, or any other aspect. It was: has this minister made the inquiry?

The SPEAKER: Alright; I will accept the point of order. Before the minister returns to the topic of the member for Unley's action, or inaction, could she address the substance of the question?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Thank you, sir. As I said, I became aware of this last night after the media were told by the member for Unley that he had an email that he had been sitting on for a fortnight.

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