Page 4657 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 19 October 2011
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MS GALLAGHER: As I said yesterday and I have said a number of times today, we need to be better. The minister is doing the job. She is getting the reforms in place.
Opposition members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order, members!
MS GALLAGHER: She is responding to issues as they are brought to her attention, as is required by her in her job and in accordance with the ministerial code of conduct.
Children and young people—care and protection
MR SPEAKER: Mr Coe.
Mr Seselja interjecting—
MR COE: The question is for the Minister for Community Services. Minister—
MR SPEAKER: One moment, Mr Coe. Mr Seselja, your repeated interjection is interrupting question time. You are now on a warning for repeated interjection. Mr Coe, you have the floor.
MR COE: Thank you, Mr Speaker. The question is for the Minister for Community Services, and I preface this question by stating that we have permission to use the material contained in this question. Minister, an email was sent to your office on 8 July this year from the parent of a child who was placed in foster care by child protection services but who had been removed by child protection services to another state to be with their other parent. Two other children are involved, both of whom remain in foster care in Canberra. Minister, are you aware of this case?
MS BURCH: I appreciate, Mr Coe, that you have permission to provide that, but I get numbers of emails and letters to my office, so without further detail I cannot say yea or nay. If you want to discuss that case in confidence, I am quite happy to have that arrangement made.
MR COE: A supplementary, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Coe.
MR COE: Minister, by your answer, does that mean you are not aware that the child was removed to another state without the knowledge of the parent in Canberra?
MS BURCH: I have answered that question in the first part. I receive a number of correspondence. I have no idea of the individual and the details around that case. If you want to know that and you seek a meeting, a briefing in confidence, I am happy to share it with you.
MRS DUNNE: Supplementary question, Mr Speaker.
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