House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-11-28 Daily Xml

Contents

CHILD PROTECTION

Mr PISONI (Unley) (14:58): My question is to the Premier. Will the Premier give evidence on oath to the Debelle inquiry and, if not, why not?

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Education and Child Development) (14:58): Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Minister for Education.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Chapman: Portolesi QC.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: Thank you. This government established this very high-level review by Mr Debelle, a former Supreme Court judge. He has all of the tools at his disposal to get to the bottom of what actually did transpire in relation to events that occurred nearly two years ago. I think it is really important that we allow Mr Debelle to undertake that work. We on this side of the house—I certainly have not instructed. I have not instructed, because it is not appropriate to instruct, Mr Debelle on how or who he may choose—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: So they are questioning the integrity of Mr Debelle: 'What is he doing?' They are questioning what he is doing. Well, I can tell you what he is doing. He is doing exactly that that he considers—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Listen to the minister's answer.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: He is conducting the review in the manner which he considers to be fit and appropriate.