Rankine welcomes Ombudsman probe into latest scandal
Rankine welcomes Ombudsman probe into latest scandal
The South Australian Education Minister has returned from holidays claiming she has nothing to fear from a new inquiry into a southern suburbs school sex scandal.
Jennifer Rankine’s new education chief Tony Harrison has asked the Ombudsman to investigate why parents were not alerted to an alleged sex attack on their daughter by an older student three years ago.
Both Ms Rankine and Premier Jay Weatherill resisted a top level independent inquiry, but the matter has now been referred to the Ombudsman.
“There are elements of this that need someone separate from the department,” Mr Weatherill said.
But the inquiry could provide no clear answers because the Ombudsman cannot investigate ministerial staff who may have missed a crucial email from the alleged victim’s parents.
The Premier is confident a lesser internal investigation is all that is needed on the email bungle, but the Opposition said the girl’s parents still want more.
