Question: ABORIGINAL CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN CARE
The Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:46):
My questions are directed to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs:
1. Can the minister inform the council how often does he meet with the Minister for Child Protection to develop specific strategies to address the urgent issues for Aboriginal children in care?
2. Can the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs explain how often and when was the last time he has attended a cross-agency briefing on early intervention in child protection areas, specifically for Aboriginal children?
The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:47):
I thank the honourable member for her question; it's a question that touches on a topic that is exceptionally important. In terms of how often I meet with the Minister for Child Protection on issues to do with early intervention, particularly as they pertain to Aboriginal people: I am regularly talking to my colleagues about all matters that affect and pertain to Aboriginal people and I certainly have regular discussions with my colleague the Minister for Child Protection and member for Reynell, the Hon. Katrine Hildyard, in another place.
There is also a specific cabinet committee dedicated to early intervention, of which both myself and the Minister for Child Protection are members, that meets regularly and it certainly canvasses areas to do with early intervention generally but it also, of course, touches upon issues to do with Aboriginal children as well.