Page 3081 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 16 September 2015
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Child care—Conder Early Learning Centre
MS LAWDER: Madam Speaker, my question is to the Minister for Education and Training. Minister, as you know, there was a traumatic incident at Conder Early Learning Centre in July where three children were hospitalised after accessing and consuming sleeping tablets at the centre. The centre was issued with a compliance notice on 24 August 2015. Minister, when did you, your directorate or children’s education and care assurance, a section of your directorate, first learn that three children had accessed and consumed sleeping tablets at the centre?
MS BURCH: If I can quickly get the date here, I will provide it. If not, I am more than happy to come back with the timing of it. As Ms Lawder has indicated, the regulation unit has made a full investigation of the incident involving those three young ones. A notice has been put on the website around the noncompliance.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Lawder.
MS LAWDER: Minister, did the children’s education and care assurance section review and/or reassess the Conder Early Learning Centre to determine whether and at what rating level it met the national quality standard and the requirements of the national regulations between June 2014 and June 2015, and if so, when?
MS BURCH: It is my understanding that when the unit went in to investigate the incident of the medication there was also in the public domain other comments about non-compliance with the national standards. It is my understanding that they were thoroughly investigated. The findings and the issues of non-compliance are now a matter of public record and they are on the website.
Ms Lawder: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.
MADAM SPEAKER: Point of order, Ms Lawder.
Ms Lawder: Thank you. The question was about review between June 2014 and June 2015, which was actually prior to this particular incident. Would you like me to repeat the question?
MS BURCH: No. I am happy to answer it.
MADAM SPEAKER: It was quite clear and that is what my notes say. If you could be directly relevant—
MS BURCH: And when they went in to consider, they would have considered all of the commentary that was public about non-compliance and it was found not to have substance. The unit regularly goes across all of our services—north, south, east and west of this city—to make sure that our services are compliant at all times.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Doszpot.
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