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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2016-09-27 Daily Xml
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Child Protection Department

Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (14:17): Why did the Premier actually promise the people of South Australia that this new department would be up and running by 5 August?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (14:17): It's not an appropriate representation of what we said. We said that we would—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: It is not appropriate representation of what we said. I know they have been peddling this—they had a bit of fun peddling this last week while I was away—but our ambition was to advance the preparation of the agency and the appointment of the chief executive in a way which would allow us to pursue acting on these recommendations—and it's going quite well. We have found a fantastic chief executive, who was widely regarded as a leader in child protection in this nation. I think the Queenslanders are quite disappointed at losing her, but we are very grateful that we have—

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Well, all evidence to the contrary—all evidence to the contrary, deputy leader, because they tried very hard to keep her, and we are very glad to have secured her services. She will be an excellent leader of what is a massive challenge, but we think that she is well equipped to perform it.

The implementation that we are conducting at the moment is being conducted in an orderly fashion. It's being led by the Minister for Child Protection Reform, which is contemplated by the recommendations of the royal commissioner. She endorses, with approval, the arrangements that we have to have a committee chaired by the Minister for Child Protection Reform, together with the Minister for Child Protection, to oversee the implementations of these reforms. She expected a response by the end of the year. In fact, we have acted more quickly than she contemplated. We've acted—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: We've acted more quickly. I know the Leader of the Opposition is—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: I know the Leader of the Opposition is feeling a little under pressure.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: I know there was great disappointment that there was nothing in the report that directly criticised ministers on the side of the government. It was an intelligent blueprint for reform, and we are getting on with the process of reforming our child protection system.

The SPEAKER: I call to order to the members for Napier and Chaffey. I warn the members for Morphett and Chaffey. These members are on their final warning now: the Treasurer, the deputy leader and the members for Hartley and Kavel.

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