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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-11-27 Daily Xml
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CHILD PROTECTION

The Hon. R.B. SUCH (Fisher) (14:43): My question is to the Minister for Education and Child Development. Will the minister put an educator such as a school principal on the interagency task force charged with overseeing the response to sexual behaviour incidents that involve departmental schools? The task force currently comprises police and lawyers but no-one directly involved in education.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Education and Child Development, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (14:43): I thank the member for Fisher for the support that he has provided in relation to public education here in South Australia. He has been a very strong advocate for public education, and he is also a very active and strong supporter of schools in his electorate. I want to place that on record. He has also been very encouraging and supportive of me personally in my role as Minister for Education.

The interagency task force has been set up to provide advice through to the Chief Executive Officer of the Department for Education in relation to responses to communities when this sort of event occurs. It is a very high level agency; it includes representation from crown law so that we have the very best legal advice. It has a very senior police officer (Assistant Commissioner) on there, a person who has very detailed and intricate knowledge around the needs of victims who have suffered sexual assault. We have the Chief Executive Officer of the Department for Education and Child Development and we also have the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, who has responsibility for child safety.

What they look at is the appropriateness of advice and what can be provided to communities. Principals whose schools may be impacted are consulted and advice goes backwards and forwards between the incident management team in relation to the advice out to communities. This isn't a representative group.

I have to say, I was at a school presentation last night and the principal of that particular school said to me how reassuring it is now with the processes that are in place and the support that is being provided through central office—very clear understanding about roles and responsibilities. I am happy to take on board the member for Fisher's suggestion, because I know he provides it with the very best of intentions.

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