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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-02-21 Daily Xml
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Autism Special Needs Program

The Hon. D.G. PISONI (Unley) (14:42): My question is to the Minister for Education, Training and Skills. Did the minister's office urge the parent of a child with autism not to speak to the media about her concerns? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: I have permission to use the family's name in this explanation. Late last year, Mrs Kirsten Richards and her daughter Chloe, who has autism, negotiated a 'One Plan' for Chloe to complete her SACE this year at Seaton High School. I am advised the plan, with SACE-approved allowances for Chloe's autism, was agreed by all parties in writing. It was also agreed that Mrs Richards would have oral and email access to a special needs coordinator.

Since school has returned Mrs Richards has been told that she is only allowed to speak to the principal and no-one else about her daughter Chloe's plan. Mrs Richards is now very frustrated, and feels she has been locked out of any direct involvement with the special needs program for her daughter. During a phone call on 7 February with a staffer in the minister's office, I am advised that Mrs Richards was told that going to the media would 'complicate things'.

The Hon. B.I. BOYER (Wright—Minister for Education, Training and Skills) (14:43): I thank the member for Unley for his question.

Mr Tarzia interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Hartley!

The Hon. B.I. BOYER: I can rule out, from the start, that we would ever tell a parent—either Ms Richards, who I have—

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. B.I. BOYER: Just listen to the whole answer—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Hartley and the member for Hurtle Vale—

Mr Whetstone interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Chaffey, you will depart the chamber under 137A for the remainder of question time—

Ms Stinson interjecting:

The SPEAKER: —and the member for Badcoe, who interjects again and is on her final warning, will join the member for Chaffey.

The honourable members for Chaffey and Badcoe having withdrawn from the chamber:

The SPEAKER: The minister has the call.

The Hon. B.I. BOYER: Thank you, Speaker. No, I can rule out—I would never and I would not expect and don't believe in this case that my staff have ever advised someone not to speak to the media. I know the South Australian that the member for Unley is talking about here very well, Ms Richards. I have worked to try to help her for a number of years, including as well when I was the shadow minister.

I think the last time I spoke to Ms Richards was yesterday. I think the last time my staff spoke to Ms Richards was Friday. I have had a number of staff speak to Ms Richards on the phone for a number of weeks to try to help her with the quite complicated situation that the member for Unley explained. Those conversations have been very long ones—up to 45 minutes, I understand—because it is a complex situation with the child that Ms Richards cares for.

I would never say that speaking to the media would complicate things. That is a question entirely for the consideration of Ms Richards. I think it is disappointing, and this is really a return to form by the member for Unley who is back to his old tricks—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Minister, please be seated.

The Hon. B.I. BOYER: —politicising issues like this.

The SPEAKER: Order, minister!

The Hon. P.B. Malinauskas interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier is called to order!

Mr Tarzia interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Hartley, your colleague raises a point of order, which I will hear under 134. The member for Unley.

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: Sir, my advocacy for the children has lead to the Debelle royal commission, and I reject—

The SPEAKER: What is the point of order?

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: I reject the accusation by the minister—

The SPEAKER: Member for Unley, raise your point of order immediately.

An honourable member: 127.

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: —127—and I ask that it be withdrawn.

The Hon. A. Koutsantonis: What part?

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. D.G. PISONI: Back to four—in a derogatory manner. I ask that that be withdrawn.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Members to my left and right, I have the point of order, which is 127: digression or personal reflections on members. I understand the personal reflection to be 'old tricks'. The request has been made for it to be withdrawn, and I expect that it will be. The minister.

The Hon. B.I. BOYER: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I withdraw the comment.

The SPEAKER: And I think it is customary to offer an apology.

The Hon. B.I. BOYER: And I apologise, Mr Speaker.

The SPEAKER: The minister has the call.

The Hon. B.I. BOYER: I will just reiterate what I said. I would never advise someone like Ms Richards or anyone else not to speak to the media. That is a decision for them. We are trying to assist her in every way we can in very complicated circumstances. I have been doing that for a number of years. As I said, I have been in contact with Ms Richards very recently. My staff have been in contact with Ms Richards very recently, and we are doing everything we can for her.

The SPEAKER: I see the member for Giles.

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