Page 4048 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 20 September 2011
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MR SPEAKER: Mrs Dunne, a supplementary question.
MRS DUNNE: Minister, in earlier comments you said the act allowed the directorate to do this. The act also specifically outlines, in section 63, what procedures must be followed if a non-suitable entity is appointed. Were those procedures followed?
MS BURCH: I imagine that will all become apparent through the Public Advocate’s review.
MR COE: A supplementary, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Coe.
MR COE: Minister, when did the directorate first become aware that the placement may have been in breach of the act and what action happened in response?
MS BURCH: The directorate provides placements for over 550 children. Some of these placements are in emergency circumstances. Some of these placements may not be ideal. But the alternative is, what, to leave them in an unsafe and insecure environment?
Mrs Dunne: On a point of order, Mr Speaker, relevance. The question was directly: when did the directorate know and what did they do? It was not about what their motivations might be.
MR SPEAKER: Let us come to the question, Minister Burch, thank you.
MS BURCH: The directorate at all times have sought to place these children in a safe and secure environment. They have put in place oversight arrangements by a registered out-of-home care provider, as opposed to the alternative which I think beggars belief. But the Public Advocate is reviewing all circumstances around compliance on this matter and every other current placement—
Mr Smyth: On a point of order, Mr Speaker—
MS BURCH: and I think the Public Advocate—
Mr Smyth: Is there a point of order or not?
MR SPEAKER: I am just letting her finish the sentence Mr Smyth, but we will do it your way. We will stop immediately. Sit down, minister, thank you.
Mr Smyth: Mr Speaker, under standing order 118(a) and (b), it is quite a specific question about when did they become aware and what did they do. You directed her to come to the essence of the question.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, I did.
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