Tuesday, 1 November 2016
Open State Event on Child Protection Issues
The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking questions of the minister representing the Minister for Education and Child Development on the subject of Open State.
Leave granted.
The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: As part of the recent Open State event, Mr Nigel Richardson was brought from the United Kingdom to discuss issues of child protection based on his experience as a bureaucrat in Leeds. My questions to the minister are:
- How much money did the state government contribute toward bringing Mr Richardson to South Australia?
- How many government staff members attended events when Mr Richardson was a speaker?
- How much money did the government spend paying for DCSI and/or education department employees to attend events where Mr Richardson was a speaker?
- What policies and practices will change as a result of Mr Richardson’s visit?
- Were Australian experts in the field of child protection, early childhood and social engagement offered an opportunity to speak at Open State events, particularly before Mr Richardson was selected?
- How many families will be socially and financially supported to attend Circle of Security parenting courses in 2016-17?
- What will be the cost to DCSI of parents attending parenting courses in 2016-17?
The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change): I thank the honourable member for her long list of questions on notice. I undertake to take those questions to the minister in the other place and seek a response on her behalf.