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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2021-03-04 Daily Xml
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Minister for Child Protection

Ms HILDYARD (Reynell) (14:53): My question is to the Minister for Child Protection. Does the minister agree with child safety campaigner Sonya Ryan that she is 'completely disconnected' from her job? With your leave, Mr Speaker, and that of the house, I will explain.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Leave is sought; is leave granted?

Leave granted.

Ms HILDYARD: A report in The Advertiser on 20 February quoted Ms Ryan in relation to Paul Rice's investigation into her office that, quote:

If there was sincerity and genuine care, Minister Sanderson would make it her absolute priority to know the details of every single child under her care.

I believe Rachel Sanderson is completely disconnected from her [job].

The Hon. R. SANDERSON (Adelaide—Minister for Child Protection) (14:54): Of course I reject the ridiculous assumption. As people would know in this house, I have gone to great lengths to visit as many children in residential care as possible, and in fact the member for Badcoe went to great lengths to try to intimidate me out of doing that and questioned and accused me with wild accusations—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, members on my right, members on my left!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Minister for Child Protection has the call.

The Hon. R. SANDERSON: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have had meals with children in their homes, I have visited them at their kinship days, at their swimming centre days, at Christmas celebrations and at carer events. I have made every possible attempt to meet these young people. In fact, even during COVID—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. R. SANDERSON: —I met with them online on Teams. I have cooked with them. I have done activities with these children. I have gone out of my way to make sure that I could see where they live, I could see what they eat, I could find out what activities—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. R. SANDERSON: I am the first minister to do this, I might say, and many of them had never met a minister before. I think every AFSS house has a tree that I helped the children plant. I have had meals at every single Service to Youth Council home they have. I have visited Junction homes. I have visited DCP homes all around the state. I have even been to Ceduna and to Port Lincoln. I have been everywhere to visit these children, and I am continuing do so.

I also visit them at their schools. I visit their principals to find out how they are going. I have their attendance records for the first time—something no other minister has. I have a record of every school they are at and their attendance records. I am visiting schools to find different education techniques that suit the children, because under Labor there was a low expectation.

Under the Labor government all the guardianship children were exempt from NAPLAN. I want them to be included in NAPLAN because they are worthy and they are good enough. We have had more children finish year 11 and 12 under this government than ever before and it continues to go up, so don't you lecture me about my role—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, the member for Hurtle Vale!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Minister for Child Protection has the call. I think the minister has concluded her answer. Before I call the member Reynell, I warn for a second time the member for Hurtle Vale. I call to order the member for Colton, I call to order the Minister for Trade and Investment. I warn for a second time the member for Playford. I call to order and warn the Minister for Innovation and Skills.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, members on my left! The member seeks the call.

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