Questions
Mr BASHAM: My question is to the Minister for Education. Can the minister inform the house about the progress towards meeting the government's commitments to address truancy?
The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education) (14:57): I am very grateful to the member for Finniss for this question. The member for Finniss shares the concerns that I and all members on this side of the house have, and I hope all members of the house have, for our students who are truant. We are ensuring that we do everything we can to get them back to school.
Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:16): My question is to the Acting Attorney-General. What representations has the South Australian government made to their federal colleagues about the Murray-Darling Basin Royal Commission injunction? When the royal commission was announced in 2017, federal assistant water resources minister and South Australian Senator Anne Ruston said:
The Commonwealth would not stand in its way, and neither [would] NSW or Victoria.
I'd like to think they'd cooperate, certainly the Commonwealth will cooperate, we [have nothing] to hide.
The SPEAKER: Before I call the minister, with such facts introduced I would expect quite a broad response. Minister.
Mr KOUTSANTONIS: Thank you, sir, for your protection. My question is to the Acting Attorney-General. How will the Marshall government respond to a petition on change.org that calls on the government to review the sacking of the Commissioner for Victims' Rights, Mr Michael O'Connell?
The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education) (14:28): The Commissioner for Victims' Rights was not, to use the shadow minister's word, sacked. The Commissioner for Victims' Rights' term expired on 16 July. There was a merit-based selection process undertaken. The name of Bronwyn Killmier should be held in the highest regard by the people of South Australia. She has been a trailblazing police officer, one of our first female assistant commissioners of police.
Mr DULUK (Waite) (14:23): My question is to the Minister for Education. Can the minister provide an update to the house on the government's commitment in relation to a review of stage 2 of SACE?
The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education) (14:24): I am very pleased to be able to say, yes, I can. I thank the member for Waite for his question and his interest, along with so many members on this side, in ensuring that South Australian students have the opportunity to achieve their potential, the best version of themselves, by receiving the best education they possibly can.
Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:02): My question is to the Minister for Education. What thought has been given to earlier interventions to avoid the punitive impacts of heavy fines and convictions, even as a last resort, on families in crisis having real difficulties in getting their children to school regularly?
Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:46): A supplementary question to the Premier, and I thank the Premier for his previous answer and reiterating his intention to instruct. The supplementary question is: when will the Premier be seeing to the minister tabling the instruction to the police commissioner, as is the requirement under the Police Act?
The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education) (14:47): I thank the member for the question. As previously identified, the Stop the Scourge in Schools policy falls under the responsibility—
Mr ODENWALDER (Elizabeth) (14:58): Supplementary: does the Premier's protocol development require an instruction from the police minister?
The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education) (14:58): I have answered this question in other forms but, to be clear, the police commissioner, the police minister, the CE of the education department and I met and we discussed it. Subsequent to that, representatives of police have met with representatives of the independent school sector, the Catholic school sector and members of my department. We are currently working with police on developing the protocols. It is quite clear that this policy will be delivered by this government. I note the outrage of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. It's confusing to me because when the Labor Party was in power—
Dr HARVEY (Newland) (14:46): My question is to the Minister for Education. Can the minister update the house on plans for the 2018 NAPLAN tests?
The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education) (14:46): I thank the member for Newland for his question. I am pleased to advise that, yes, I can, and I am pleased to offer some information in that regard.
Ms STINSON (Badcoe) (14:24): Thank you, Mr Speaker. My question is to the Minister for Child Protection. Why has the minister not appointed a commissioner for Aboriginal children since becoming the Minister for Child Protection?
The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education) (14:24): I thank the member for the question. As the Minister for Education, the Aboriginal commissioner for children election commitment falls under my responsibility. We committed to having that process undertaken and underway within the first 100 days, and we will.
Mr DULUK (Waite) (15:14): My question is to the Minister for Education. Can the minister advise the house about the details of the 2018 Public Education Awards?
The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education) (15:14): I am very pleased to advise that I can. I am sure members on both sides will be very interested in the 2018 Public Education Awards as significant, important awards as part of our education system. Last Tuesday, 1 May, I was very pleased to be in the member for Wright's electorate at the Surrey Downs R-7 School. Principal Russell Barwell was able to welcome me and the new 2018 Public Education Awards ambassador.
