❓ Opposition Leader Barnett questions Premier Gallop's commitment to addressing child abuse in Aboriginal communities, citing Sue Gordon's criticism of the government's stance on mandatory reporting. The Premier defends the government's approach, highlighting careful consideration and existing policies.
AnsweredQoN 417Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the Premier to the comments of Children’s Court magistrate and author of the Inquiry into Response by Government Agencies to Complaints of Family Violence and Child Abuse in Aboriginal Communities report, Sue Gordon, as appeared in The West Australian of 25 June; namely - They (the Government) keep saying we don’t want mandatory reporting because it would be too much work and a lot of cases won’t come up with the goods” . . . “But it is not really good enough. These are the most vulnerable people in the community . . . (1) Having ignored evidence from every other Australian State, as well as international experience, will the Premier now listen to the one woman who has virtually written the Government’s policies on child abuse? (2) Is the Premier aware that the Aboriginal Legal Service has also called on the Government to introduce mandatory reporting of child abuse? (3) How can the Premier’s so-called commitment to stamp out child abuse, particularly in Aboriginal communities, be taken seriously when the Premier does not require medical professionals or welfare workers to report even the most obvious signs of sexual or physical abuse unless a sexually transmitted infection is also present? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) It is very easy to come into Parliament and quote the views of one person. Indeed, Sue Gordon is a person whose qualifications in this area are very important. That is why the Government chose her to head its important inquiry. I could also quote Professor Fiona Stanley, who has equal status in the community on these issues. Rather than quote a person’s comments, it is important to look at the issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: You can’t make up your mind on anything. Several members interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: That is a very interesting quote. We have made our minds up on this issue, Leader of the Opposition: careful examination of all the arguments and evidence before us indicated mandatory reporting is not the way to go forward. The Minister for Health announced the policy of mandatory reporting of sexual transmitted diseases, which is very important. It will be pursued in the system, as was recommended by the Gordon inquiry. The Government’s view is that its strategy to deal with child abuse in the community is the right strategy. It has been determined following careful consideration. I note that in the eight years that the coalition was in government, it did not introduce mandatory reporting.
They (the Government) keep saying we don’t want mandatory reporting because it would be too much work and a lot of cases won’t come up with the goods” . . . “But it is not really good enough. These are the most vulnerable people in the community . . . (1) Having ignored evidence from every other Australian State, as well as international experience, will the Premier now listen to the one woman who has virtually written the Government’s policies on child abuse? (2) Is the Premier aware that the Aboriginal Legal Service has also called on the Government to introduce mandatory reporting of child abuse? (3) How can the Premier’s so-called commitment to stamp out child abuse, particularly in Aboriginal communities, be taken seriously when the Premier does not require medical professionals or welfare workers to report even the most obvious signs of sexual or physical abuse unless a sexually transmitted infection is also present? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) It is very easy to come into Parliament and quote the views of one person. Indeed, Sue Gordon is a person whose qualifications in this area are very important. That is why the Government chose her to head its important inquiry. I could also quote Professor Fiona Stanley, who has equal status in the community on these issues. Rather than quote a person’s comments, it is important to look at the issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: You can’t make up your mind on anything. Several members interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: That is a very interesting quote. We have made our minds up on this issue, Leader of the Opposition: careful examination of all the arguments and evidence before us indicated mandatory reporting is not the way to go forward. The Minister for Health announced the policy of mandatory reporting of sexual transmitted diseases, which is very important. It will be pursued in the system, as was recommended by the Gordon inquiry. The Government’s view is that its strategy to deal with child abuse in the community is the right strategy. It has been determined following careful consideration. I note that in the eight years that the coalition was in government, it did not introduce mandatory reporting.
(1) Having ignored evidence from every other Australian State, as well as international experience, will the Premier now listen to the one woman who has virtually written the Government’s policies on child abuse? (2) Is the Premier aware that the Aboriginal Legal Service has also called on the Government to introduce mandatory reporting of child abuse? (3) How can the Premier’s so-called commitment to stamp out child abuse, particularly in Aboriginal communities, be taken seriously when the Premier does not require medical professionals or welfare workers to report even the most obvious signs of sexual or physical abuse unless a sexually transmitted infection is also present? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) It is very easy to come into Parliament and quote the views of one person. Indeed, Sue Gordon is a person whose qualifications in this area are very important. That is why the Government chose her to head its important inquiry. I could also quote Professor Fiona Stanley, who has equal status in the community on these issues. Rather than quote a person’s comments, it is important to look at the issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: You can’t make up your mind on anything. Several members interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: That is a very interesting quote. We have made our minds up on this issue, Leader of the Opposition: careful examination of all the arguments and evidence before us indicated mandatory reporting is not the way to go forward. The Minister for Health announced the policy of mandatory reporting of sexual transmitted diseases, which is very important. It will be pursued in the system, as was recommended by the Gordon inquiry. The Government’s view is that its strategy to deal with child abuse in the community is the right strategy. It has been determined following careful consideration. I note that in the eight years that the coalition was in government, it did not introduce mandatory reporting.
(2) Is the Premier aware that the Aboriginal Legal Service has also called on the Government to introduce mandatory reporting of child abuse? (3) How can the Premier’s so-called commitment to stamp out child abuse, particularly in Aboriginal communities, be taken seriously when the Premier does not require medical professionals or welfare workers to report even the most obvious signs of sexual or physical abuse unless a sexually transmitted infection is also present? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) It is very easy to come into Parliament and quote the views of one person. Indeed, Sue Gordon is a person whose qualifications in this area are very important. That is why the Government chose her to head its important inquiry. I could also quote Professor Fiona Stanley, who has equal status in the community on these issues. Rather than quote a person’s comments, it is important to look at the issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: You can’t make up your mind on anything. Several members interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: That is a very interesting quote. We have made our minds up on this issue, Leader of the Opposition: careful examination of all the arguments and evidence before us indicated mandatory reporting is not the way to go forward. The Minister for Health announced the policy of mandatory reporting of sexual transmitted diseases, which is very important. It will be pursued in the system, as was recommended by the Gordon inquiry. The Government’s view is that its strategy to deal with child abuse in the community is the right strategy. It has been determined following careful consideration. I note that in the eight years that the coalition was in government, it did not introduce mandatory reporting.
(3) How can the Premier’s so-called commitment to stamp out child abuse, particularly in Aboriginal communities, be taken seriously when the Premier does not require medical professionals or welfare workers to report even the most obvious signs of sexual or physical abuse unless a sexually transmitted infection is also present? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) It is very easy to come into Parliament and quote the views of one person. Indeed, Sue Gordon is a person whose qualifications in this area are very important. That is why the Government chose her to head its important inquiry. I could also quote Professor Fiona Stanley, who has equal status in the community on these issues. Rather than quote a person’s comments, it is important to look at the issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: You can’t make up your mind on anything. Several members interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: That is a very interesting quote. We have made our minds up on this issue, Leader of the Opposition: careful examination of all the arguments and evidence before us indicated mandatory reporting is not the way to go forward. The Minister for Health announced the policy of mandatory reporting of sexual transmitted diseases, which is very important. It will be pursued in the system, as was recommended by the Gordon inquiry. The Government’s view is that its strategy to deal with child abuse in the community is the right strategy. It has been determined following careful consideration. I note that in the eight years that the coalition was in government, it did not introduce mandatory reporting.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) It is very easy to come into Parliament and quote the views of one person. Indeed, Sue Gordon is a person whose qualifications in this area are very important. That is why the Government chose her to head its important inquiry. I could also quote Professor Fiona Stanley, who has equal status in the community on these issues. Rather than quote a person’s comments, it is important to look at the issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: You can’t make up your mind on anything. Several members interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: That is a very interesting quote. We have made our minds up on this issue, Leader of the Opposition: careful examination of all the arguments and evidence before us indicated mandatory reporting is not the way to go forward. The Minister for Health announced the policy of mandatory reporting of sexual transmitted diseases, which is very important. It will be pursued in the system, as was recommended by the Gordon inquiry. The Government’s view is that its strategy to deal with child abuse in the community is the right strategy. It has been determined following careful consideration. I note that in the eight years that the coalition was in government, it did not introduce mandatory reporting.
(1)-(3) It is very easy to come into Parliament and quote the views of one person. Indeed, Sue Gordon is a person whose qualifications in this area are very important. That is why the Government chose her to head its important inquiry. I could also quote Professor Fiona Stanley, who has equal status in the community on these issues. Rather than quote a person’s comments, it is important to look at the issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: You can’t make up your mind on anything. Several members interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: That is a very interesting quote. We have made our minds up on this issue, Leader of the Opposition: careful examination of all the arguments and evidence before us indicated mandatory reporting is not the way to go forward. The Minister for Health announced the policy of mandatory reporting of sexual transmitted diseases, which is very important. It will be pursued in the system, as was recommended by the Gordon inquiry. The Government’s view is that its strategy to deal with child abuse in the community is the right strategy. It has been determined following careful consideration. I note that in the eight years that the coalition was in government, it did not introduce mandatory reporting.
Mr C.J. Barnett: You can’t make up your mind on anything. Several members interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: That is a very interesting quote. We have made our minds up on this issue, Leader of the Opposition: careful examination of all the arguments and evidence before us indicated mandatory reporting is not the way to go forward. The Minister for Health announced the policy of mandatory reporting of sexual transmitted diseases, which is very important. It will be pursued in the system, as was recommended by the Gordon inquiry. The Government’s view is that its strategy to deal with child abuse in the community is the right strategy. It has been determined following careful consideration. I note that in the eight years that the coalition was in government, it did not introduce mandatory reporting.
Several members interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: That is a very interesting quote. We have made our minds up on this issue, Leader of the Opposition: careful examination of all the arguments and evidence before us indicated mandatory reporting is not the way to go forward. The Minister for Health announced the policy of mandatory reporting of sexual transmitted diseases, which is very important. It will be pursued in the system, as was recommended by the Gordon inquiry. The Government’s view is that its strategy to deal with child abuse in the community is the right strategy. It has been determined following careful consideration. I note that in the eight years that the coalition was in government, it did not introduce mandatory reporting.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: That is a very interesting quote. We have made our minds up on this issue, Leader of the Opposition: careful examination of all the arguments and evidence before us indicated mandatory reporting is not the way to go forward. The Minister for Health announced the policy of mandatory reporting of sexual transmitted diseases, which is very important. It will be pursued in the system, as was recommended by the Gordon inquiry. The Government’s view is that its strategy to deal with child abuse in the community is the right strategy. It has been determined following careful consideration. I note that in the eight years that the coalition was in government, it did not introduce mandatory reporting.
They (the Government) keep saying we don’t want mandatory reporting because it would be too much work and a lot of cases won’t come up with the goods” . . . “But it is not really good enough. These are the most vulnerable people in the community . . . (1) Having ignored evidence from every other Australian State, as well as international experience, will the Premier now listen to the one woman who has virtually written the Government’s policies on child abuse? (2) Is the Premier aware that the Aboriginal Legal Service has also called on the Government to introduce mandatory reporting of child abuse? (3) How can the Premier’s so-called commitment to stamp out child abuse, particularly in Aboriginal communities, be taken seriously when the Premier does not require medical professionals or welfare workers to report even the most obvious signs of sexual or physical abuse unless a sexually transmitted infection is also present? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) It is very easy to come into Parliament and quote the views of one person. Indeed, Sue Gordon is a person whose qualifications in this area are very important. That is why the Government chose her to head its important inquiry. I could also quote Professor Fiona Stanley, who has equal status in the community on these issues. Rather than quote a person’s comments, it is important to look at the issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: You can’t make up your mind on anything. Several members interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: That is a very interesting quote. We have made our minds up on this issue, Leader of the Opposition: careful examination of all the arguments and evidence before us indicated mandatory reporting is not the way to go forward. The Minister for Health announced the policy of mandatory reporting of sexual transmitted diseases, which is very important. It will be pursued in the system, as was recommended by the Gordon inquiry. The Government’s view is that its strategy to deal with child abuse in the community is the right strategy. It has been determined following careful consideration. I note that in the eight years that the coalition was in government, it did not introduce mandatory reporting.
(1) Having ignored evidence from every other Australian State, as well as international experience, will the Premier now listen to the one woman who has virtually written the Government’s policies on child abuse? (2) Is the Premier aware that the Aboriginal Legal Service has also called on the Government to introduce mandatory reporting of child abuse? (3) How can the Premier’s so-called commitment to stamp out child abuse, particularly in Aboriginal communities, be taken seriously when the Premier does not require medical professionals or welfare workers to report even the most obvious signs of sexual or physical abuse unless a sexually transmitted infection is also present? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) It is very easy to come into Parliament and quote the views of one person. Indeed, Sue Gordon is a person whose qualifications in this area are very important. That is why the Government chose her to head its important inquiry. I could also quote Professor Fiona Stanley, who has equal status in the community on these issues. Rather than quote a person’s comments, it is important to look at the issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: You can’t make up your mind on anything. Several members interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: That is a very interesting quote. We have made our minds up on this issue, Leader of the Opposition: careful examination of all the arguments and evidence before us indicated mandatory reporting is not the way to go forward. The Minister for Health announced the policy of mandatory reporting of sexual transmitted diseases, which is very important. It will be pursued in the system, as was recommended by the Gordon inquiry. The Government’s view is that its strategy to deal with child abuse in the community is the right strategy. It has been determined following careful consideration. I note that in the eight years that the coalition was in government, it did not introduce mandatory reporting.
(2) Is the Premier aware that the Aboriginal Legal Service has also called on the Government to introduce mandatory reporting of child abuse? (3) How can the Premier’s so-called commitment to stamp out child abuse, particularly in Aboriginal communities, be taken seriously when the Premier does not require medical professionals or welfare workers to report even the most obvious signs of sexual or physical abuse unless a sexually transmitted infection is also present? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) It is very easy to come into Parliament and quote the views of one person. Indeed, Sue Gordon is a person whose qualifications in this area are very important. That is why the Government chose her to head its important inquiry. I could also quote Professor Fiona Stanley, who has equal status in the community on these issues. Rather than quote a person’s comments, it is important to look at the issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: You can’t make up your mind on anything. Several members interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: That is a very interesting quote. We have made our minds up on this issue, Leader of the Opposition: careful examination of all the arguments and evidence before us indicated mandatory reporting is not the way to go forward. The Minister for Health announced the policy of mandatory reporting of sexual transmitted diseases, which is very important. It will be pursued in the system, as was recommended by the Gordon inquiry. The Government’s view is that its strategy to deal with child abuse in the community is the right strategy. It has been determined following careful consideration. I note that in the eight years that the coalition was in government, it did not introduce mandatory reporting.
(3) How can the Premier’s so-called commitment to stamp out child abuse, particularly in Aboriginal communities, be taken seriously when the Premier does not require medical professionals or welfare workers to report even the most obvious signs of sexual or physical abuse unless a sexually transmitted infection is also present? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) It is very easy to come into Parliament and quote the views of one person. Indeed, Sue Gordon is a person whose qualifications in this area are very important. That is why the Government chose her to head its important inquiry. I could also quote Professor Fiona Stanley, who has equal status in the community on these issues. Rather than quote a person’s comments, it is important to look at the issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: You can’t make up your mind on anything. Several members interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: That is a very interesting quote. We have made our minds up on this issue, Leader of the Opposition: careful examination of all the arguments and evidence before us indicated mandatory reporting is not the way to go forward. The Minister for Health announced the policy of mandatory reporting of sexual transmitted diseases, which is very important. It will be pursued in the system, as was recommended by the Gordon inquiry. The Government’s view is that its strategy to deal with child abuse in the community is the right strategy. It has been determined following careful consideration. I note that in the eight years that the coalition was in government, it did not introduce mandatory reporting.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) It is very easy to come into Parliament and quote the views of one person. Indeed, Sue Gordon is a person whose qualifications in this area are very important. That is why the Government chose her to head its important inquiry. I could also quote Professor Fiona Stanley, who has equal status in the community on these issues. Rather than quote a person’s comments, it is important to look at the issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: You can’t make up your mind on anything. Several members interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: That is a very interesting quote. We have made our minds up on this issue, Leader of the Opposition: careful examination of all the arguments and evidence before us indicated mandatory reporting is not the way to go forward. The Minister for Health announced the policy of mandatory reporting of sexual transmitted diseases, which is very important. It will be pursued in the system, as was recommended by the Gordon inquiry. The Government’s view is that its strategy to deal with child abuse in the community is the right strategy. It has been determined following careful consideration. I note that in the eight years that the coalition was in government, it did not introduce mandatory reporting.
(1)-(3) It is very easy to come into Parliament and quote the views of one person. Indeed, Sue Gordon is a person whose qualifications in this area are very important. That is why the Government chose her to head its important inquiry. I could also quote Professor Fiona Stanley, who has equal status in the community on these issues. Rather than quote a person’s comments, it is important to look at the issues. Mr C.J. Barnett: You can’t make up your mind on anything. Several members interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: That is a very interesting quote. We have made our minds up on this issue, Leader of the Opposition: careful examination of all the arguments and evidence before us indicated mandatory reporting is not the way to go forward. The Minister for Health announced the policy of mandatory reporting of sexual transmitted diseases, which is very important. It will be pursued in the system, as was recommended by the Gordon inquiry. The Government’s view is that its strategy to deal with child abuse in the community is the right strategy. It has been determined following careful consideration. I note that in the eight years that the coalition was in government, it did not introduce mandatory reporting.
Mr C.J. Barnett: You can’t make up your mind on anything. Several members interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: That is a very interesting quote. We have made our minds up on this issue, Leader of the Opposition: careful examination of all the arguments and evidence before us indicated mandatory reporting is not the way to go forward. The Minister for Health announced the policy of mandatory reporting of sexual transmitted diseases, which is very important. It will be pursued in the system, as was recommended by the Gordon inquiry. The Government’s view is that its strategy to deal with child abuse in the community is the right strategy. It has been determined following careful consideration. I note that in the eight years that the coalition was in government, it did not introduce mandatory reporting.
Several members interjected. Dr G.I. GALLOP: That is a very interesting quote. We have made our minds up on this issue, Leader of the Opposition: careful examination of all the arguments and evidence before us indicated mandatory reporting is not the way to go forward. The Minister for Health announced the policy of mandatory reporting of sexual transmitted diseases, which is very important. It will be pursued in the system, as was recommended by the Gordon inquiry. The Government’s view is that its strategy to deal with child abuse in the community is the right strategy. It has been determined following careful consideration. I note that in the eight years that the coalition was in government, it did not introduce mandatory reporting.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: That is a very interesting quote. We have made our minds up on this issue, Leader of the Opposition: careful examination of all the arguments and evidence before us indicated mandatory reporting is not the way to go forward. The Minister for Health announced the policy of mandatory reporting of sexual transmitted diseases, which is very important. It will be pursued in the system, as was recommended by the Gordon inquiry. The Government’s view is that its strategy to deal with child abuse in the community is the right strategy. It has been determined following careful consideration. I note that in the eight years that the coalition was in government, it did not introduce mandatory reporting.
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