Here's what happened in SA Parliament: Sitting week 7

This is what happened in the seventh sitting week of the year, which was from Tuesday 4 to Thursday 6 June.

House of Assembly (Lower House)

Mentions of ‘young people’: 20

number of times ‘youth’ was said: 3

• Lucy Hood MP (Member for Adelaide, Labor) asked the Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Hon. Chris Picton MP (Member for Kaurna, Labor) for an update on government initiatives to address vaping by young people. The Minister discussed the State Government’s new advocacy and education campaign launched last week on the harms of vaping across social media platforms.  

• The Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People’s report on the Inquiry into the application of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle in the removal and placement of Aboriginal children and young people, Holding onto Our Future was tabled by the Minister for Child Protection, Hon Katrine Hildyard (Member for Reynell, Labor).
  The Minister thanked the Commissioner and her team for their work and said: “Our government will take the appropriate time to consider the recommendations from the  report and respond accordingly. As the government finalises its response, it will consider how we can ensure Aboriginal people are empowered to advise how particular recommendations are progressed with the principle of Aboriginal-led decision-making firmly in our hearts, minds and actions. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with Commissioner Lawrie to advance positive change that improves the lives of Aboriginal children and their families.”   

Legislative Council (Upper House)

Mentions of ‘young people’: 9

number of times ‘youth’ was said: 1

• Hon Laura Henderson MLC (Liberal) discussed government action and inaction on child protection matters.
  She said: “As lovely as a review is, and we do welcome the opportunity to identify ways in which the child protection system can be improved, they are merely a tick-box exercise if they do not ultimately lead to tangible outcomes, the perfect example being the review of the Children and Young People (Safety) Act. We sit eagerly and await any draft legislation from the review of the Children and Young People (Safety) Act. The final report for this review of the act was provided to the minister in February 2023. Acting President, you heard that right: 2023. The minister has been sitting on this report for over a year.”  

& that’s what you missed in the last sitting week of South Australian Parliament!

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Here's what happened in SA Parliament: Sitting week 6

This is what happened in the sixth sitting week of the year, which was from Tuesday 14 to Thursday 16 May.

House of Assembly (Lower House)

number of times ‘young people’ were mentioned: 24

number of times ‘youth’ was said: 1

• Premier Hon Peter Malinauskas MP was asked what his Government’s plans were to ‘reduce online harm to kids’. Malinauskas discussed his government being determined to pursue changes to social media regulation that would prohibit social media engagement for any young person under the age of 14 and require parental consent for those aged 14 and 15 years old.
  He said: “Our motivations here are simply the interests of young people. There is no more precious resource than the future generations of our state. There is no higher obligation on people in this place than preserving and protecting young people from harm where that can be achieved. Governments and parliaments around the world have always regulated, or curtailed access to those products and services that we know have the potential to do young people harm. I think we now have enough evidence to suggest the need is there to do the same with respect to social media.”  

• Matthew Cowdrey MP (Member for Colton, Liberal) addressed the House on net interstate migration and the issue commonly referred to as ‘brain drain’ and the importance of making South Australia an accessible home state for young people. 

Legislative Council (Upper House)

number of times ‘young people’ were mentioned: 39

number of times ‘youth’ was said: 15

• Hon Robert Simms MLC (Greens) discussed a report by Equality Australia, Dismissed, Denied and Demeaned: A National Report on LGBTQ+ Discrimination in Faith-Based Schools and Organisations
  He said it: “points to a systemic suppression of LGBTI identities and lives. For young people coming of age and exploring who they are, the silence about LGBTI people is deafening. Silence says to these young people that they must remain hidden and ashamed of who they are if they want to keep their jobs or if they want to remain in school”

• Hon Robert Simms MLC made a 2nd reading contribution to the Criminal Law Consolidation (Recruiting Children to Commit Crime) Amendment Bill, which his party will support. He discussed the wealth of research to support raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 14 and the issues in the Adelaide Youth Training Centre identified by young people via the Office of the Guardian for Children and Young People in their submission to the ‘alternative diversion model’ discussion paper, From Those Who Know.  

• Attorney-General Hon Kyam Maher MLC (Labor) introduced the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) (Blood Testing) Amendment Bill to the Council which would amend sections 57 and 58 of the Health Care Act 2008 to extend scope to compel offenders who bite or spit on certain workers to undergo blood testing for communicable diseases. The Bill would include youth justice workers under persons authorised to provide emergency and non-emergency ambulance services.  

& that’s what you missed in the last sitting week of South Australian Parliament!

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Here's what happened in SA Parliament: Sitting week 5

This is what happened in the fifth sitting week of the year, which was from Tuesday 30 April to Thursday 2 May.

House of Assembly (Lower House)

number of times ‘young people’ were mentioned: 32

number of times ‘youth’ was said: 6

• Erin Thompson MP (Member for Davenport, Labor) and Nadia Clancy MP (Member for Elder, Labor) spoke to the Supply Bill - an annual piece of legislation that covers the money the Government allocates to the Public Service.
  The Member for Davenport said: “We are particularly focusing on youth programs. It is something that the northern part of the City of Onkaparinga council area has not been able to deliver as well in the past. There is no youth centre in my patch and so young people, particularly teenagers, have been crying out for something else. We have a skate park and a couple of basketball courts, but this is something that they have been really crying out for. This will be a space where young people can come together and enjoy programs that will be delivered by the City of Onkaparinga and a safe place for them to come and meet and be mentored by others as well. I am really excited about that project, which we will be rolling out over the next six months, and I am looking forward to the day when I will get to bring along the Premier again, with the Mayor of the City of Onkaparinga, and open that fantastic new community centre for our community to enjoy.”  
  The Member for Elder said: “Another thing that I am really excited about with Tonsley is the technical college that will be built there in the very near future. I am really excited about the skills that will be provided to our young people as a great alternative to university.”  

• Michael Brown MP (Member for Florey, Labor) spoke to a motion to accept the Public Works Committee report on the SAPol barracks relocation and commented on the road safety centre’s programs available to young people. 

• Premier Hon Peter Malinauskas MP (Labor) spoke on the recent National Cabinet meeting on gender-based violence.
  He said: “The commonwealth will … deliver a range of new measures to tackle factors that exacerbate violence against women, such as violent online pornography and misogynistic content targeting children and young people. Such measures will include additional funding for the eSafety Commission to pilot age assurance technologies.” 

Legislative Council (Upper House)

number of times ‘young people’ were mentioned: 31

number of times ‘youth’ was said: 27

• Hon Rob Simms MLC (Greens) asked the Attorney-General (AG) Hon Kyam Maher MLC if he had read the two submissions made by the Guardian for Children and Young People on the Attorney-General Department’s youth justice ‘alternative diversion model’ discussion paper. He also asked the AG what assurances he could give to the young people quoted in the submissions.
  The AG stated that the Government does not have a position, and the paper was intended to start looking at various models. In relation to whether he had read the Guardian’s submission, the AG stated that he has read a summary of all submissions that were made. 
  In a supplementary question, Simms asked if the Government would commit to publicly releasing the submissions made.
  The AG said: “I am happy to have a look at it to see what we can do in relation to that”.   

• Hon Rob Simms MLC mentioned the Anglicare Rental Affordability Snapshot, which reported there is not a property or a room in a shared house across Australia that is affordable for someone receiving Youth Allowance, and asked the Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs, Hon Andrea Michaels MP (via the AG) what action the Government will be taking on increasing rent prices and whether they will consider the Green’s call for a temporary rent freeze. The AG will refer the question to the Minister for response*.
  *Members can’t ask questions of parliamentarians who sit in another house directly during Question Time, so they’ll ask it via a member of the subject’s party in their house.

• Hon Frank Pangallo MLC (SA Best) asked the Minister for Education Hon Blair Boyer MP (Labor), through the AG, about whether the Minister himself would approve if his children’s school ‘made a decision affecting [their] child’ without telling the Minister or his wife as well as questioning why his Department ‘override the rights of the child's parents’. The AG stated the question will be given to the Minister. 

• Hon Rob Simms MLC asked the AG, representing the Minister for Education Hon Blair Boyer MP about an article published in The Conversation by a lecturer at the University of Adelaide regarding young men’s behaviour towards female teachers and peers becoming more misogynistic. The AG stated the question will be given to the Minister.  

• Hon Sarah Game MLC (One Nation) introduced a motion that the Legislative Council recognise the evidence on improved public health and the health benefits of regulated nicotine vaping compared to cigarette smoking and acknowledge current policies have resulted in an increase in youth vaping. Game stated that vapes should not carry heavy penalties or increased restrictions and she urged the Government to review their approach. Debate was adjourned.  

• Hon Frank Pangallo MLC introduced a Bill that would amend the Bail Act 1985 (SA) and Summary Offences Act 1953 (SA). The Bill seeks to create an offence under the Summary Offences Act 1953 (SA) which would make ‘publish[ing] material to advertise involvement in an offence or the act or omission constituting the offence’ carry a maximum penalty of 2 years imprisonment.  
  The Bill would also insert a presumption against bail for any young person over the age of 14 years charged with using a motor vehicle without consent and residential and non-residential serious criminal trespassing when this is this principal alleged offence.

& that’s what you missed in the last sitting week of South Australian Parliament!

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Here's what happened last week in Parliament

If you’re new here, this year we’ve been providing a wrap-up of each sitting week in SA Parliament.

We’ll be pointing out motions, debates and comments you might have missed to keep you informed about what’s being discussed in both Houses!

This is what happened in the fourth sitting week of the year, which was from Tuesday 9 April to Thursday 11 April.

House of Assembly (Lower House)

number of times ‘young people’ were mentioned: 10

number of times ‘youth’ was said: 6

• Jack Batty MP (Liberal) spoke about Burnside Citizenship Awards and acknowledged SA Youth Forum and the young people who received awards. 

• Vincent Tarzia MP (Liberal) spoke on wages growth and the economic challenges facing residents of his electorate Hartley.

  Tarzia said: “In a nutshell, this government is failing young people when it comes to them trying to get onto the housing ladder. They are failing young people when it comes to wages. Despite having a low unemployment rate at the moment, there is still a lot of room for improvement in the local economy when it comes to helping South Australians to get ahead.”  

• Tim Whetstone MP (Liberal Member for Chaffey) and John Gardner MP (Liberal, Member for Morialta) asked the Minister for Education, Hon Blair Boyer MP (Labor), a series of questions regarding a sexual health and relationships session delivered at Renmark High School that was in the media.  
  Boyer said: “Mistakes were made, and policies and procedures that are in place for a very important reason were not followed… There are a number of things we are seeking to do to make sure this can't happen again. The presentation in this case was conducted by a group called Focus One Health, the regional provider of respectful relationships sessions. They are subcontracted by Headspace who do a lot of this work nationally. I understand that it was Focus One who sought the services of the person who gave this inappropriate presentation. Focus One Health have been suspended at this stage. 

  I understand that in particular some parents of those students and the students themselves have made it very clear that they felt traumatised by what they were exposed to in that presentation, and I think for that reason the offer of counselling is a very important one. I have been told that that has been made on numerous occasions. I do not have any information at this stage for the Member for Chaffey about what the uptake of that has been like, but we will make sure that those offers are continually made. 

  Investigation continues into exactly what took place and how we got to a stage where someone who should not have been giving a presentation like this was not only giving the presentation but was giving it with an absence of any staff members there, and in the absence of parental approval being given as well. 

  I am happy to update both the member for Morialta and this house once I have a clearer picture of why that wasn't done.”

• Eddie Hughes MP (Labor) asked the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, Hon Katrine Hildyard MP (Labor), about spending on participation in regional areas. The Minister stated that the Government aim to increase the number of young people in regional areas eligible for the sports vouchers program as well as updated the House on the work of the Connected and Active Communities Program.  

• Private Members Bill - Criminal Consolidation (Sexual Predation Offences) Amendment Bill was adjourned at second reading.  The Bill seeks to amend several Acts to address sexual predation in social, romantic or organised interactions increase the penalties that apply in circumstances were a substance has been administered. Increased penalties would be highest where a victim is under 17 or 14 years of age.  

Legislative Council (Upper House)

number of times ‘young people’ were mentioned:8

number of times ‘youth’ was said: 4

• Hon Ben Hood MLC (Liberal) asked the Attorney-General (AG), Hon Kyam Maher MLC (Labor), about young people engaging with SAPol and the sentences these young people receive. The AG outlined the Government’s Bill to make ‘recruiting children to commit crimes’ an offence and the current MACR discussion paper.

  He said: “There is further work to do I think in terms of children who find themselves in contact with the criminal justice system. One of the things we are doing at the moment as a government is a discussion paper that we have released that is looking at other ways we can intervene in children's lives. A criminal justice response may not always be the best way. We are looking at therapeutic interventions, particularly family supports, for young people to try to stop the very young children who find themselves in contact with the criminal justice system becoming the older children and then the young adults who find their way into the criminal justice system. It is an issue that we are taking seriously and looking at addressing.” 

• Hon Frank Pangallo MLC (SA Best) asked the AG about whether the Government planned to appoint an independent medical expert to review gender affirming care practices.
  The AG stated that health professionals will continue to develop policies based on diverse views and a range of evidence.  

• Hon Sarah Game MLC (One Nation) asked the Minister for Health, Hon Chris Picton MP (Labor), through the AG*, about the effectiveness of the Government’s vaping policies and whether they have considered allowing regulated vape products to be sold. The AG will report back from the Minister for Health.  
  *When a Member wants to ask a question of another Member who sits in a different House they will ask it via another Member of their party because they cannot ask it directly.

• Hon Reggie Martin MLC (Labor) moved a motion to recognise the Zonta Club of Adelaide including its Zonta Young Women’s Leadership Program as well as scholarships and awards offered to young women.  

• Government Bill – Criminal law Consolidation (Recruiting Children to Commit Crime) Amendment Bill was adjourned at second reading.  

& that’s what you missed in the last sitting week of South Australian Parliament!

Cover image: Parliament of South Australia.

Here's what happened last week in Parliament

If you’re new here, this year we’re going to be providing a wrap-up of each sitting week in South Australian Parliament. We’ll be pointing out motions, debates and comments you might have missed to keep you informed about what’s being discussed in both houses! This is what happened in the third sitting week of the year, but you can check out our wrap-ups of week one and week two as well.

Legislative Council (Upper House)

number of times ‘young people’ were mentioned: 6

number of times ‘youth’ was said: 2

• During Question Time, Hon Sarah Game MLC asked Hon Claire Scriven MLC (on behalf of the Minister for Child Protection) about funding provided for children and young people in state-based care.  She had two questions:

  1. “Why is the Malinauskas Government only investing 9.1% of its child protection budget on family support services compared with Victoria which invests 26.7% of its budget on family support services?”

  2. “Will the Malinauskas Government now consider matching the amount spent in other states?”

  The Child Protection Minister’s response included information about how the Independent Inquiry into Foster and Kinship Care was conducted and explained increases to carer payments that began in January which includes a 4.8 per cent increase in indexation for all family-based carers and a $50 per fortnight increase per child 16 years and under for general foster and kinship carers, as well as an additional $800 each year for respite-like supports, for eligible carers.

House of Assembly (Lower House)

number of times ‘young people’ were mentioned:12

number of times ‘youth’ was said: 1

• During Question Time, Dana Wortley MP asked Hon Nat Cook MP, Minister for Human Services for an update on community support to Murray Bridge and the Murraylands. The Minister discussed the support including the opening of the Studio Purpose Youth Apartments in Murray Bridge.  
  She said: “Last week, also, I had the pleasure of attending the opening of the Studio Purpose youth apartments in Murray Bridge. It is the second project where Habitat for Humanity has led the construction phase of the project, overseen by ac.care. The project converted two public housing duplexes into four units that are suitable for young people. This addresses a critical need in the region. Donors, builders, material suppliers, tradespeople and businesses, along with volunteers, all combined their efforts to complete the construction phase of this second Studio Purpose housing project.”

• The Child Sex Offenders Registration (Child-Related Work) Amendment Bill was read a second time.  

• Intervention Orders (Prevention of Abuse) (Section 31 Offences) Amendment Bill passed third reading.  

& that’s what you missed in the last sitting week of South Australian Parliament!

Cover image: Parliament of South Australia.

Here's what happened last week in Parliament

In case you missed our first edition - this year we’re going to be providing a wrap-up of each sitting week in South Australian Parliament. We’ll be pointing out motions, debates and comments you might have missed to keep you informed about what’s being discussed in both houses!

Legislative Council (Upper house)

• The Legislative Council continued from the adjourned debate (in March 2023) on the motion from Hon Laura Henderson MLC (Liberal)

  That this council— 

  1. Recognises that the child protection system in South Australia is overwhelmed; 

  2. Recognises that South Australia spends less than the national average on services to prevent children from entering care; and 

  3. Calls on the Malinauskas government to provide earlier, more intensive intervention for at-risk families before they fall into crisis. 

House of Assembly (Lower house)

• The Electoral (Control Of Corflutes) Amendment Bill 2024 was passed.

• The House passed a motion to recognise the importance of TAFE SA, acknowledging TAFE SA at the centre of the VET system and recognising in-demand courses, including in health and social care.  

• Penny Pratt MP (Liberal) spoke about the need for mental health services, especially regionally.
  She said, “So, the plea is really going out to the government to continue looking for opportunities to increase training, to retain the workforce that we have and to improve access in regional South Australia. Of course, the greatest tragedy, and I think the most severe statistic that I can point to, is the fact that 30 per cent of our deaths by suicide are of young people aged 15 to 24.”  

• Hon. Tony Piccolo MP (Labor) asked Premier Hon Peter Malinauskas MP (Labor) about the Hunter Class Frigate Program. Malinauskas said, “What we are seeking to do is put new money into new methods of training young people. One of the things that it starts with, as the Minister for Education and Skills will attest to, is a dramatic revitalisation of TAFE, a TAFE that we believe should be publicly run.”

& that’s what you missed in the last sitting week of South Australian Parliament!

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Here's what happened in the first sitting week of 2024

Both houses of Parliament returned for the first sitting week of 2024 from the 6th to the 8th of February, here’s what they got up to.

Legislative Council (Upper house)

• Report by the Child Development Council South Australia on South Australia's Outcomes Framework for Children and Young People was tabled by Hon. Kyam Maher MLC (Attorney-General). The framework was developed in 2019 and the 2023 report is the fourth report on outcomes for children and young people under 18 in SA. The report is available here.

• A Bill to amend the Child Offenders Registration Act 2006 to include ‘businesses or undertakings in which children are employed’ into the Act’s definition of ‘child-related work’ passed the second and third readings and has been sent to the Lower House for deliberation.

• A Bill to amend the Education and Children’s Service Act 2019 that would establish a requirement for non-government schools that receive public funding to provide a report within 6-months of the end of a financial year that would include: details of fees charged by the school, an audited statement of income and expenditure of the school, rate of students attending the school, composition of a school’s workforce, any complaints received by the school in relation to staff conduct, communication by the school, provision of services by the school or school policies as well as any reportable incidents.

• Debate was adjourned on a motion to establish a committee to inquire into and report on young people seeking assistance for gender dysphoria in South Australia. Due to the Greens and Labor members in the Upper House, along with Hon Michelle Lensink MLC from the Liberal party intending to vote against the motion it doesn’t have the votes to progress further at this stage.

House of Assembly (Lower house)

• The Child Sex Offenders Registration (Child-Related Work) Amendment Bill 2023 was received from the Upper House, introduced and read a first time.

& that’s what you missed in the last sitting week of South Australian Parliament!

Cover image: Parliament of South Australia.