House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-11-13 Daily Xml

Contents

CHILD PROTECTION

Mr PISONI (Unley) (14:47): My question is to the Minister for Education and Child Development. Why were parents at the western suburbs school advised that a call centre, or hotline (as you have described), has been set up specifically for supporting them, when the opposition is advised that no such service exists? A parent has advised the opposition that upon contacting the call centre last Thursday the phone was answered by the Parent Complaint Unit and the person who took the call knew nothing of the rape at the western suburbs school and was not aware that the Parent Complaint Unit had been assigned to deal with it.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Education and Child Development) (14:48): If the member for Unley was serious about supporting parents then the moment he had this information he would bring it to my attention.

Mr PISONI: I rise on a point of order. The minister cannot use the opportunity to berate members on this side. She has a question to answer.

The SPEAKER: There is no point of order. She is answering your question.

Mr PISONI: And parents at the western suburbs school want an answer.

The SPEAKER: Thank you. You will sit down. Minister?

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: As to the mechanics the department has established to ensure that the hotline is answered, that is a matter for them to ensure. I am very happy—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Norwood, order!

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: I have been very clear about this. I have certainly been advised and the Premier made the statement in the parliament today that there is a hotline. As to how it is staffed at an operational level, that is something that I expect—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: —the department is capable of arranging. If the member for Unley has information to the contrary I am very happy to look at that.

The SPEAKER: The member for Port Adelaide.