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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-05-01 Daily Xml
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FAMILIES SA

The Hon. A. BRESSINGTON (14:51): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Education and Child Development questions about Families SA.

Leave granted.

The Hon. A. BRESSINGTON: A constituent contacted me some time ago alleging sexual abuse by an older member of the foster family that she was placed with while under the care of the minister. This constituent subsequently fell pregnant twice to this abuser. I have previously asked a question in relation to the failure of Families SA and SAPOL to investigate this in a timely manner; that is, when these children were born and why a paternity test was not done to establish whether or not a sexual offence had occurred. Given that the mother of these children was only 14 years old at the time, one would think that that would have been a pretty obvious course of action to take.

The alleged father of the children to whom the allegations of abuse have been directed has been granted paternal access to the children. However, at the time of granting access, paternity testing had not been seen to be necessary. As I said, that opens up a whole new can of worms as to further questions and why an investigation did not ensue. My questions are:

1. What are the requirements for paternal access to children?

2. Why would Families SA allow paternal visits to someone who has been an alleged child sex offender when a reasonable suspicion had been clearly established by all involved, including Families SA and SAPOL?

3. Why has Families SA been allowing paternal visits to a man who is yet to be proven as the child's father?

4. Given that the alleged offender has claimed paternal rights by seeking access and the mother of his children was only 14 years old, why didn't Families SA refer this matter to the police for investigation and subsequent prosecution of child sexual abuse against a minor?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:54): I thank the honourable member for her very important question and I acknowledge her ongoing interest and agitation in this area. I undertake to take the questions on the matter of Families SA to the minister in the other place and to seek a response on her behalf.

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