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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2024-03-06 Daily Xml
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Overseas Travel

The Hon. S.L. GAME (14:40): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before directing a question to the Minister for Primary Industries, representing the Minister for Child Protection, regarding overseas travel.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.L. GAME: Having supported my Public Sector (Ministerial Travel Reports) Amendment Bill last year, it was disappointing to every South Australian taxpayer that the child protection minister would attempt to hide an extravagant and wasteful $62,000 overseas trip, as reported in The Advertiser today. It is galling to find out a legitimate FOI request for the very details the bill ensures are made public was blocked because access to the final itinerary was denied due to it referencing cabinet documents.

As though this is not absurd enough, a government representative made the statement that 'Ms Hildyard had been transparent'. The Advertiser details that her department chief executive, Jackie Bray, told parliament's Budget and Finance Committee last week that she was not aware of the FOI request or indeed any such action after that request. We have a child protection crisis in this state and a cost-of-living crisis. My questions to the minister are:

1. Does the minister believe taxpayers will think this is good and proper use of taxpayer money in a cost-of-living crisis where families are without homes?

2. What is the evidence that the children in neglect are best benefitting from the minister taking staff on a $62,000 overseas trip?

3. Is it time the minister gave up her recreation, sport and racing portfolio and is it time to consider Zoom or Teams meetings, which allow free and effective communication with international colleagues?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:42): I thank the honourable member for her questions. Firstly, I am advised that the minister has provided all relevant documents relating to this trip and the opposition was comprehensively briefed on the minister's meetings and engagements on the trip in January. In terms of any further information that might be appropriate, I will refer it to the minister in the other place.

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