Embattled Education Minister Jennifer Rankine has again denied that the Families SA carer charged with sexually abusing seven pre-schoolers was the subject of a previous notification for alleged inappropriate behaviour.
The first denial came in a media conference on Tuesday when Sarah Martin from The Australian asked the Minister and officials if “Families SA had ever received complaints or a notification”.
The Minister and her department’s deputy chief executive (child safety) David Waterford responded with: “There was nothing extraordinary about this individual”.
The Minister’s second denial came this morning after The Advertiser’s front-page story by senior reporter Nigel Hunt claimed that the “Families SA carer charged with sexually abusing seven pre-schoolers was investigated a year ago for alleged inappropriate behaviour involving a female toddler in his care, before being cleared to again work with children”.
Hunt’s story mirrors similar information received late yesterday by InDaily that a “care notification” was made last year by a co-worker against the charged 32-year-old carer.
In another development, Education Department officials told InDaily notification notices to parents will only be sent to the school where the care worker was employed. InDaily had queried the man’s residential proximity to another primary school.
“Parent notifications have been sent to one primary school; the school where the accused person worked as an OSHC/Vac Care employee,” a department spokesman told InDaily today
“The parents/carers of former students who attended the OSHC/Vac Care and have since left the school will be notified by registered mail.
“In relation to notifying parents, DECD follows the recommendations made by the Hon Bruce Debelle.
“DECD works closely with South Australia Police and Crown law to determine the process and extent of notifications.”
Minister Rankine changed her position on the Hunt story mid-interview today; she first made a firm “no comment”, before relenting.
“I don’t want to be difficult, but I can’t tell your listeners anything,” Rankine told ABC Radio’s breakfast program.
“Police are stressing this investigation is in its infancy. We must not say anything to impede the investigation or prejudice the trial.”
(The 32-year-old, however, is not on trial; he has been charged and remanded in custody pending a further appearance before the Magistrates Court on August 19.)
Minister Rankine, then strayed from her “no comment” line when asked again about statements her departmental head had made in a press conference when he was asked if Families SA or SA Police had been notified previously about the man’s behaviour.
“That is on the record from South Australian Police – that there was no criminal history on this man,” she told presenter Matt Abraham.
“And no child protection notification.”
Abraham then asked: “And no complaint in the Department … will you restate that? Because that was put to David Waterford.”
“Um, that question was put to David Waterford. Um, you can go back and re-listen to his answer and I have said to you that there, you know, 300 children, there are issues that are raised from time to time about residential care workers. So, that is, to make that claim is not unusual. That does happen and those things are investigated.”
Police sources have told InDaily a care notification was investigated last year after a co-worker raised issues about the man’s behaviour.
Steven Marshall today stepped up his criticism of the State Government’s handling of the matter after previously taking a bi-partisan position after a briefing from Families SA officials on Tuesday.
“The claim of a previous matter flies in the face of the briefing I was given,” Marshall told InDaily today.
“They were emphatic that there had been no previous reason for concern.
“In fact, they went to great lengths to assure me that he’d passed every test with flying colours.
“We now need to be given a clear assurance that there was or wasn’t another allegation or investigation, when or how he was cleared and why the concerns were dismissed.
“Look, we have been totally cooperative in not wanting to compromise any investigation or court process.
“But we need to be assured that we have been given the whole story here.”
Marshall also called on Premier Weatherill to cancel a planned overseas trip and stay home to handle the crisis.
“It’s the Premier who said it is shaping up to be one of the most catastrophic cases in Australia’s history.
“That alone suggests it’s not a good time to be going overseas.”
The Premier’s office rejected the call.
When InDaily asked Minister Rankine’s office for comment on the claims that there had been a prior investigation into the 32-year-old care worker, it repeated its previous position.
“The Government has consistently said that it is unable to comment on the details of the case so as not to prejudice the live investigation, the matter listed for Court on August 19 and potential prosecution.
“We have worked through the considered release of information every step of the way, heeding advice from the Crown Solicitor’s Office and SAPOL.”
