This is what happened in the eleventh sitting week of the year, the third sitting week back after winter break, which was held over Tuesday 24 to Thursday 26 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.
During the eleventh week in State Parliament for 2024 after much debate the Government’s Conversion Practices Prohibition Bill passed. Its passage sees South Australia ban conversion practices on sexuality and gender identity that cause serious mental or physical harm (SA Rainbow Advocacy Alliance and Equality Australia joint media release here for more). Tobacco & E-Cigarette (E-Cigarette and Other Reform) Amendment Bill and the Child Sex Offenders Register (Public Register) Amendment Bill were both also discussed in chamber this week, and Members moved Motions recognising the work of the Clontarf Foundation and to mark the International Day of Sign Language.
House of Assembly (Lower House)
Mentions of ‘young people’: 23
Tobacco & E-Cigarette (E-Cigarette and Other Reforms) Amendment Bill - 6
Contarf Foundation - 5
Children and Young People (Safety and Support) draft Bill - 2
South Australia Training Awards - 2
International Day of Sign Language - 2
Parliament visitors - 2
AUKUS Agreement - 1
GFG Alliance - 1
Northern District Athletics Club - 1
Statutes Amendment (Small Business Commission & Retail & Commercial Leases) Bill - 1
mentions of ‘youth’: 4
Office of Early Childhood Development - 1
National Police Remembrance Day - 1
Rural Youth Bursary - 1
Youth Governor - 1
Comments on young people, youth services and policy specifically about young people:
A Government Bill for the regulation of tobacco and e-cigarette products passed the House of Assembly and is now being considered by the Legislative Council. Lead speaker on the Bill for the Opposition, Ms Penny Pratt MP, raised concerns relating to provisions that establish the ability for the Minister to authorise children under 18 years to act as ‘controlled purchase officers’ (CPOs) in ‘controlled purchase operations’.
The member asked the Government a series of questions about how children authorised as CPOs will be recruited and renumerated and what oversight would be provided, before tabling amendments to remove the ability for children under 18 years to be authorised as CPO. However the Bill was passed without these amendments.
Legislative Council (Upper House)
Mentions of ‘young people’: 17
Conversion Practices Prohibition Bill - 4
Gambling Administration (Limitation on Advertising) Amendment Bill - 3
Child Sex Offenders Register (Public Register) Amendment Bill - 2
Tobacco & E-Cigarettes (Misc) Amendment Bill - 2
Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People Holding on to Our Future Report - 1
Gawler Show - 1
Youth justice - 1
Timber Industry Masterplan - 1
Construction Industry Training Find (Misc) Amendment Bill - 1
Pronouns in school - 1
mentions of ‘youth’: 6
Youth justice - 3
Gawler Show - 1
Educational outcomes - 1
Conversion Practices Prohibition Bill - 1
Comments on young people, youth services and policy specifically about young people:
The Criminal Law Consolidation (Stalking and Harassment) Amendment Bill , that would expand existing offences related to unlawful stalking to cover more stalking conduct including cyberstalking was introduced by the Government. Included in the expanded offences will be an offence in relation to impersonating an individual and publishing material that appears to be published by that person. The Bill also creates an alternative mental element for the offence when a defendant ought reasonably know their conduct would cause physical and/or mental harm.
During question time crossbench Member the Hon Tammy Franks MLC (Greens) asked the Attorney-General, Hon Kyam Maher MLC (Labor), when the first annual First Nations Voice of South Australia address to Parliament will occur and what the intended process will be. The AG updated the Legislative Council on the progress being made and suggested the first annual address would be towards the end of Novemberand mentioned that the Voice had already provided feedback on several Bills. The Hon Member also asked the Attorney-General if the Voice had provided feedback on the draft Children and Young People (Safe and Support) Bill , on which the AG was unsure stating: ‘I am happy to go and check. I am not sure. Another area that I do remember the Voice has had some involvement and will have continuing involvement with is the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, headed by Commissioner Stott Despoja.
I know that there has been a lot of work that that royal commission has done to engage Aboriginal people and particularly the SA Voice, so I am happy to check on that particular piece of legislation, but it is pleasing that there is engagement not just on legislation but on many areas of significant policy development that are of concern to Aboriginal people.’Crossbench Member the Hon Sarah Game MLC (One Nation) asked a question to the AG on school students being asked about their personal pronouns, specifically referencing interstate public sector guidelines developed as part of a ‘rainbow toolkit’. The Hon Member asked how the SA State Government planned to ensure school students are not exposed to ‘adult concepts’ like gender in ‘safe spaces’. The AG assured the Member that the SA Labor Government is, ‘absolutely committed to keeping children safe and we are committed to people being referred to in a correct and respectful way’.
