Rankine in the hot seat
Child Development Minister Jennifer Rankine was the target of intense questions in parliament today after the Police Commissioner confirmed that a child-care worker charged with seven counts of unlawful sexual abuse had been investigated by SA police a year ago.
Minister Rankine has previously stated that the Families SA worker had not been the subject of a “care notification” at Families SA in the past.
“That is on the record from South Australian Police – that there was no criminal history on this man,” she told ABC presenter Matt Abraham on July 25.
That assurance appeared to be contradicted today by Police Commissioner Gary Burns in his regular appearance on the same radio program.
“The care notification was looked at by detectives and it was determined there wasn’t enough evidence to proceed,” the Commissioner said.
“That notification came from Families SA to SAPOL.
“As a result of the subsequent arrest of this person, that care notification will be picked up in the overall investigations that are continuing now and that’s the focus of police.”
When asked by Abraham if he was aware that he had contradicted Minister Rankine, Burns said: “I’m saying we didn’t proceed with this investigation.”
You might like
Parliament resumes today for the first time since the resignation of Families SA head David Waterford, which sent the chid abuse scandal into overdrive.
Waterford said in a statement that he had “accidentally provided inaccurate briefings to Child Development Minister Jennifer Rankine because he failed to read a key document”.
InDaily understands the inaccuracies were related to an issue detected in psychometric testing of the care worker, not the question of a care notification.
UPDATE: Police Commissioner Gary Burns released a further statement today.
“During a radio interview this morning I acknowledged that police had received notification of a care concern from Families SA that related to the 32-year-old man accused of sexually abusing children in his care,” he said in the statement.
“I did this with the facts and information of the case before me. I did not enter into details of the nature of the care concern, nor do I intend to in the future.
“SAPOL does not brief the Government on all aspects of criminal investigations. However, as the Commissioner of Police I am ultimately responsible for the investigation and as such it is appropriate that I determine what information to publically release and at what time.
“SAPOL’s advice to Government remains unchanged, and that is they should not take any action that may lead to the identification of possible victims, witnesses, impede on the investigation or be prejudicial to the prosecution.
“I am satisfied that the Government’s position in relation to the release of details has been consistent with the advice provided by SAPOL.”
In parliament, Minister Rankine maintained her silence on details of the care notification and employment history of the care worker.
Stay informed, daily
“I cannot go into the circumstance of this man’s employment,” she said several times.
Meanwhile, carers marched to Parliament House this morning to condemn the performance of Families SA and demand legislative change.
About 50 carers and supporters rallied at Victoria Square before the march, asking that recommendations from three inquiries into child protection in South Australia be immediately implemented.
They also want a Children’s Commissioner with powers covering endangered children who are not in state care.
Some carers attended to ask Minister Rankine to return their foster children to them. One of them was Jacqueline Bowden, who said her seven-year-old foster child was taken from her by Families SA in traumatic circumstances.
“We’re still in grief and it was three years ago,” she said.
Chair of Connecting Foster Carers SA Jo Jarvis said: “We want an avenue for families to have a right to review and appeal that is independent and binding.”
Penny McNicholl, from lobby group Fighters Against Child Abuse, said inquiries into child protection had not yielded real results.
“It’s all gone unanswered; it’s all been swept under the carpet,” she said.
“Families are paying the ultimate price. No one has been held to account.”
Update: Former Police Commissioner Mal Hyde has been appointed to oversee recruitment of new Families SA staff and a review of existing records. Child Development Minister Jennifer Rankine announced the appointment this afternoon.
Premier Jay Weatherill also announced draft terms of reference for a royal commission into child sexual abuse.
The Premier says the royal commission will examine all government and non-government organisations which care for children at risk.
It will also address the staffing and resourcing of the state’s child protection system.
Want to see more stories from InDaily SA in your Google search results?
- Click here to set InDaily SA as a preferred source.
- Tick the box next to "InDaily SA". That's it.
