This is what happened in the ninth sitting week of the year, the second sitting week back after winter break, which was held over Tuesday 10 to Thursday 12 September.
Our parliament wrap-ups focus on discussion of young people, and issues that impact young people. We focus on what was said, and by who here, rather than unpacking or giving a position on the issues themselves.
House of Assembly (Lower House)
Mentions of ‘young people’: 18
Child protection - 2
Sentencing (Serious Child Sex Offences) Amendment Bill - 2
Criminal Law Consolidation (Recruiting Children to Commit Crime) Amendment Bill - 2
Conversion Practice Prohibition Bill - 2
Vaping products - 1
Housing roadmap - 1
Motor Vehicle (Motor Driving Instructors and Authorised Examiners) Amendment Bill - 6
Social media - 2
mentions of ‘youth’: 3
Child psychology - 1
Chaplaincy Australia - 1
Eyre Peninsula - 1
Comments on young people, youth services and policy specifically about young people:
During Question Time, Ms Lucy Hood MP (Member for Adelaide, Labor) asked the Premier, Hon Peter Malinauskas MP (Member for Croydon, Labor) about the State Government’s plan to prohibit social media for young people and what the reaction to this announced initiative was. The Premier stated that implementing a ban on social media is, ‘an example of South Australia leading the country’ before explaining the legal review conducted by former Chief Justice of the High Court Robert French. The Premier stated: ‘In every other circumstance for every other product and service that we can think of as a community that we know does children harm and there is evidence to demonstrate that, governments and parliaments step in and act. We were willing to do that here in South Australia.’
Legislative Council (Upper House)
Mentions of ‘young people’: 15
Statutes Amendment (Criminal Justice Measures) Bill - 4
Young Rural Ambassador of the Year Award - 1
Live Music Venues Select Committee - 1
Social media - 2
Royal Adelaide Show - 1
Charter Ambassadors Program - 1
Minimum age of criminal responsibility - 2
Coroner’s Court - 1
Motor Vehicle (Motor Driving Instructors and Authorised Examiners) Amendment Bill - 1
Children & Young People (Safety and Support) Bill - 1
mentions of ‘youth’: 5
Criminal Law (High Risk Offenders) Bill - 1
Statutes Amendment (Criminal Justice Measures) Bill - 4
Comments on young people, youth services and policy specifically about young people:
Hon Laura Henderson MLC (Liberal) called on the State Government to extend the period of consultation on the draft Children and Young People (Safety and Support) Bill raising concerns put to the Opposition from the community about the lack of time allowed for consultation. The Hon Member said: ‘It is our view that four weeks is a modest and reasonable request, particularly in circumstances where the child protection system is in crisis. The government should demonstrate, at the very least, good faith. This will still enable ample opportunity following the finalisation of the extended consultation period for the government to consider this feedback and to introduce the legislation to the parliament by the end of the year. The ball is squarely in the government's court to get this legislation right…’
Crossbench Member, Hon Rob Simms MLC (Greens) asked the Attorney-General, Hon Kyam Maher MLC (Labor), a series of questions about the age of criminal responsibility. The Member asked why the State Government believe 10 years old is too young for Instagram but old enough to be detained in adult facilities. In response the AG explained that the State Government did not have a position on raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility but that the priority in consideration for the State Government is community safety. Simms questioned when the AG planned to bring legislation on raising the age to the Chamber. The AG said: ‘I thank the honourable member for his supplementary question. I want to be very clear: this is not a question of when, it is a question of if. As I have outlined, we do not have a policy in relation to raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility. What we do have is an interest in assessing what the options would be and what would tend to make the community safer.’
Crossbench Member Hon Connie Bonaros MLC (SA Best) asked the AG when it is expected the assessment underway will be completed to which the AG replied that the State Government has no date.
