This is what happened in the 15th sitting week of 2024, which was held over Tuesday 26 to Thursday 28 November.
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 final sitting week of State Parliament for 2024 the Children and Young People (Safety and Support) Bill 2024 was referred to a Legislative Council Select Committee. The Select Committee will inquire and report on the Bill early next year and have opened for submissions until 4 February 2025. The Electoral Act 1985 progressed through the House of Assembly, however an amendment proposed in the Legislative Council to allow voluntary voting for 16 and-17-year-olds was not passed. In the Legislative Council, when asked about accessibility of transgender healthcare, the Attorney-General reiterated the government's support for the LGBTIQA+ community.
House of Assembly (Lower House)
Mentions of ‘young people’: 15
SANFL premiership - 4
Electoral (Misc) Amendment Bill - 1
Newland electorate schools - 1
Construction Industry Training Fund - 1
Domestic, family and sexual violence - 1
Adelaide electorate - 1
Public works committee: SANFL West Lakes facility - 1
Criminal Law Consolidation (Stalking & Harassment) Amendment Bill - 1
State Labor Government - 1
SAPol numbers - 1
Waite electorate - 1
Education & Children’s Services (Barring Notices) Amendment Bill - 1
mentions of ‘youth’: 4
Electoral (Accountability & Integrity) Amendment Bill - 1
Sudan conflict - 1
Domestic, family and sexual violence - 1
Valedictories - 1
Comments on young people, youth services and policy specifically about young people:
A Government Bill to amend the Electoral Act 1985, Electoral (Misc) Amendment Bill was introduced and passed in the House. The Bill aims to modernise processes and implement recommendations from the Electoral Commissioner’s report on the 2022 Bragg by-election. It also further regulates the use of corflutes, prohibits the use of robocalls and robo-polling and allows new voters to enrol up to and on polling day. A Legislative Council amendment to allow for voluntary voting by 16 and 17-year-olds failed to pass, however, the Special Minister of State, Hon Dan Cregan MP (Member for Kavel, Independent) in his second reading contribution stated:
‘The bill provides that eligible new electors will be able to enrol to vote up to and on polling day. While the Electoral Commissioner will continue to focus on improving enrolment levels among young people, citizens from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and First Nations people, allowing enrolment up to and on polling day is likely to lead to greater enfranchisement of people who inadvertently miss the deadline and turn up to polling booths to find they are not on the roll and cannot vote.’Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Hon Katrine Hildyard MP was asked to update the House on how the State Government were raising awareness of domestic, family and sexual violence. The Minister acknowledged that this week marked International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the beginning of the 16 days of Activism against Gender-based Violence. The Minister outlined the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence currently underway, discussed the key messaging delivered via online platforms and bus shelter advertisements and a research partnership with the Council on the Ageing (COTA) to identify service gaps for older women. Multicultural Youth SA’s community circles program, which provides a safe place for young culturally and linguistically diverse women to learn about coercive control and the different ways violence can manifest in intimate relationships, was also discussed.
Legislative Council (Upper House)
Mentions of ‘young people’: 19
Children & Young People (Safety & Support) Amendment Bill - 6
Repeat offenders - 3
Loneliness - 2
Elections (Misc) Amendment Bill - 2
Working with children checks - 1
Regional vocational education & training - 1
Crime & public integrity policy committee - 1
Second-hand vehicle dealers - 1
Virtual war memorial - 1
International Men’s Day - 1
mentions of ‘youth’: 1
Transgender health care - 1
Comments on young people, youth services and policy specifically about young people:
After passing the House, the Children and Young People (Safety and Support) Bill was read a second time in the Legislative Council. A number of Members raised concerns about issues identified by key stakeholders including the Guardian for Children and Young People, Commissioner for Children and Young People and the Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People. Crossbench Member Hon Tammy Franks MLC (Greens) moved that the Bill be referred to a Legislative Council Select Committee. The motion was carried and the Bill referred to a Select Committee.
Franks asked the Attorney-General Hon Kyam Maher MLC (Labor) what the government has done to address barriers experienced by trans and gender-diverse young people seeking gender-affirming healthcare, whether the government had discussed the current funding gaps for services with the Federal Government and if the government will commit to keeping gender diversity team and gender-diverse support services operating at the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital once operational. While the Attorney-General confirmed that he would refer the questions to the Minister for Health in line with their portfolio, he commented that:
‘I can reiterate our government's strong support for the LGBTIQA+ community in South Australia and recognising the importance of ensuring public services are inclusive and meet their needs. I think we have demonstrated as a government and this parliament collectively our support for our diverse communities, particularly with the recent passing of the criminalising of conversion practices in South Australia. Importantly, the government believes, as has been stated before, that decisions in much of this area are best made between a doctor and patient, not by politicians.’
