House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-02-29 Daily Xml

Contents

SCHOOL VIOLENCE AND BULLYING

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen—Leader of the Opposition) (14:20): My question is to the Minister for Education and Child Development. Given that the Cossey report recommends support for school bashing victims, why has the Birdwood High School bashing victim received no support, leaving him unable to return to school even though the alleged attacker is back at school; and perhaps the minister could also tell the house when she tried to make contact with the victim's family?

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Education and Child Development) (14:21): We sought to make contact with Mr Miller yesterday.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: This is not a laughing matter, Madam Speaker. We sought to make contact with Mr Miller directly yesterday. Of course, I am absolutely concerned about the welfare of Mr Miller's son, the victim, as well as how we manage the other student—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: —who has perpetrated the violence. I can assure you that I give my commitment to this place that we will get to the bottom of what has gone on, but, more importantly, we will seek to do our very best to support Mr Miller and his child, the school and the families involved.