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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-10-15 Daily Xml
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CHILD PROTECTION

Mr MARSHALL (Norwood—Leader of the Opposition) (14:46): My question is to the Minister for Education and Child Development. Prior to 24 September, did the minister receive a written briefing about this matter, as the mother claims she was told by the minister's office?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Education and Child Development, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (14:46): When we received the correspondence from the mother that was dated 26 May, we did a number of things. We referred the most urgent matter, obviously, off to the Minister for Police, and that was in relation to the concern that the matter hadn't progressed and that the alleged perpetrator hadn't been charged, and there was some concern that the police had indicated some concern that it may not make it through the court processes.

So, that was the priority but, obviously, information was also sought from the department in relation to the actions of the school. But, also, information was sought about the mandatory reporting requirements of the department. There was a question seeking contact details for the manager of the grievances department. Those two issues were complied with by the Parent Complaint Unit.

There was also concern expressed about the delay in being able to lodge a report on the Child Abuse Report Line. That information came into my office, and I have since written to the family and apologised, outlining why there were delays and what we are doing to address that that piece of information wasn't passed on to them. But let me just say that the very important issue about this matter going to court and the concerns of the parents were dealt with the very next day.

The SPEAKER: Supplementary.

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