Question on Notice regarding child removal following reports of physical punishment. The Minister deemed part (a) out of order and stated the Department doesn't use the term 'unacceptable physical punishment', thus data is unavailable.

AnsweredQoN 1840Legislative Council
Asked
30 November 2023
Portfolio
Child Protection

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the
practice of removing children from their parents after a report of physical
punishment or smacking, and I ask: (a) can the minister advise if and when smacking a
child for disciplinary purposes is legally allowed; (b) how many reports of unacceptable physical
punishment did the Department of Child Protection receive in the period 1
January 2023 to 30 June 2023; (c) how many reports of unacceptable physical
punishment did the Department of Child Protection act on and investigate in
person in the period 1 January 2023 to 30 June 2023; and (d) how many times were children removed from their
parents following a report of unacceptable physical punishment in the
period January 2023 to 30 June 2023?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
27 February 2024
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Minister for Child Protection
Response time
2 days
(a) This question is out of order under Standing Order 105 (1) (b).
(b) - (d) The Department of Communities advises unacceptable physical punishment is not terminology used and therefore this information is not available.

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