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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2021-09-09 Daily Xml
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Child Protection

Ms HILDYARD (Reynell) (15:12): My question is to the Minister for Child Protection. Why did the minister and/or her department leave an 11-year-old child in the care of two violent drug-taking men, one of whom was a Department for Child Protection social worker, for almost 12 months, despite being warned numerous times the child was at risk? With your leave, and that of the house, I will explain.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: Point of order, Mr Speaker.

Ms HILDYARD: I've sought leave.

The SPEAKER: I will hear the point of order.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: As has been ruled many times, Mr Speaker, it is not possible to offend standing order 97, make an argument and then think it is okay to seek leave afterwards. The argument has been made. The argument is against standing orders.

The SPEAKER: The question without leave, I think it's conceded, is out of order. Leave is required. I just remind members that the asking of the question is no occasion to make an argument. The question may be put and, if leave is sought, leave may be granted. I will give the member for Reynell an opportunity to rephrase.

Ms HILDYARD: Did the minister and/or her department leave an 11-year-old child in the care of two violent, drug-taking men, one of whom was a Department for Child Protection social worker, for almost 12 months, despite being warned numerous times that the child was at risk? With your leave, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Ms HILDYARD: In May 2020, the minister received the first of a number of complaints about the safety of a child. The minister and DPC responded to the child's family a number of times, saying they had investigated and everything was okay, that their concerns were unfounded. In late March this year, the department removed the child from the men's care citing the 'risk of further exposure to domestic violence and substance abuse' for its decision.

The Hon. R. SANDERSON (Adelaide—Minister for Child Protection) (15:15): Whilst the member is very well aware I won't discuss individual cases in this house, there is a process: people ring the Child Abuse Report Line, reports that are made go through the proper channels and that's how they are all dealt with. Just to remind you, there was also the Shannon McCoole incident where he was an employee of the former Labor government that did ignore their own staff making complaints about a staff member. I won't be commenting on this case.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! It's question time and time is limited. Interjections don't hasten progress. The member for Reynell is seeking the call.

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