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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-10-30 Daily Xml
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CHILD PROTECTION

Mr PISONI (Unley) (15:08): My question is to the Minister for Education and Child Development. Does the Department for Education and Child Development have a policy that protects children by informing parents and staff when an employee at a public school has been charged and/or convicted with sex offences committed against children in their care?

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Education and Child Development) (15:09): Of course this government, this department, puts the protection of children uppermost in every act that we undertake—every policy. I would like to report—

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: Madam Speaker, this is a very serious, legitimate question and I am happy to answer it in the same vein. I am advised that a situation arose in late 2010 at a school in Adelaide's west. Allegations of a serious nature were raised. Police were immediately alerted and an individual was charged over the allegations. The staff member's employment was immediately terminated. The individual was sentenced to six years' gaol. In sentencing, the judge did not name the school or family involved to protect the child. I am advised that, given the sensitive nature of the incident and on advice of SAPOL, who I have to say do an outstanding job, the school did not send information to the community about this incident—on the advice of SAPOL.

Of course, a number of measures were undertaken by the school—and I accept that this is a legitimate issue—to ensure the continued care and safety of all students, including the following steps: all students provided with age-appropriate child protection curriculum; all staff working with students are screened and volunteers who support school excursions, for instance, and sports coaching are also screened; all staff and volunteers working with students receive regular documented reporting child abuse and neglect training; comprehensive procedures for managing allegations made against staff and volunteers are in place; and all staff are given explicit advice about their duty of care to students and appropriate interactions with students. In addition, I understand arrangements were made by the school for support to be provided on an individual basis to children, families and any staff following this incident.

When it comes to the protection of our children, wherever we might find them, in a school or in an after school hours service, for instance, we take our obligations very, very seriously. Our commitment to child protection, for instance, in this state is completely unparalleled. When we came to power in 2002 the budget in this area was about $90 million and it is now close to $300 million. We have trebled the budget. There is a list as long as my arm of achievements—

Mr MARSHALL: Point of order.

The SPEAKER: Order! What is your point of order?

Mr MARSHALL: We have listened very carefully to the minister but she has not gone near the question once. The question was, very specifically: does the department have a policy?

The SPEAKER: Thank you. Sit down. I think the minister answered that in the first 30 seconds. Minister, have you finished?

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Have you finished your answer, minister?

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: Yes.

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