The South Australian community was shocked by the news that a 13-year-old Port Lincoln boy had been killed after a garbage truck picked up a bin which he and his two friends were sleeping in on Tuesday.

SA Best MP Connie Bonaros has called for an inquiry into the death as questions emerged about how the boys came to be inside the bin. Ms Bonaros introduced the motion to the Legislative Council on Wednesday, calling for an independent joint inquiry into the circumstances around the death “urgently”.

The young boy, Spencer Benbolt Junior, and his friends – aged 11 and 12 –  were not homeless, according to the police. Ms Best would like an investigation to be undertaken by the Guardian for Children and Young People and the Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People, and in particular, she wanted answers to questions as to why the boys were sleeping in the bin before the garbage truck arrived.

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“The child protection system, in this instance, has failed all three boys sleeping in that dumpster,” Ms Bonaros said.

“I want to make sure we get answers to those questions so that no child is ever in this situation again.”

Within three months, the inquiry would present findings regarding the boys’ interaction with state government services.

“In particular, I want them to look at the terms and conditions of any guardianship orders or other arrangements the Department for Child Protection and any other agencies have in place and were required to fulfil in relation to all of the children,” Ms Bonaros said.

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The motion put forth by Ms Bonaros will go to a vote next week.

Frank Pangallo, Ms Bonaros’ Best Colleague, also asked Human Services Minister Michelle Lensink about the incident and the boy’s involvement with state government services.

“These are matters which are before SAPOL and investigations will take place, and therefore I am unable to make any comment,” Ms Lensink told Parliament on Tuesday.