❓ Mr. Barnett questions the Minister for Health on the consistency of child protection measures, specifically regarding mandatory reporting of abuse. The Minister accuses Mr. Barnett of hypocrisy and defends the government's initiative on reporting STIs in children.
AnsweredQoN 383Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to his media statement yesterday, in which he announced that doctors, nurses and welfare workers would be required to report instances of sexually transmitted diseases in children and stated - We need to make sure that the community and Government agencies can take immediate and appropriate action to protect these children and begin proper treatment and care. (1) Do children who show the unmistakable signs of physical abuse also not deserve immediate and appropriate action for protection, proper treatment and care? (2) Do children who show any signs of sexual abuse also not deserve immediate and appropriate action for protection, proper treatment and care? (3) If so, will the minister now commit to give bipartisan support for the introduction of a proper and comprehensive mandatory reporting system that requires doctors, nurses, welfare officers and teachers to report all suspected cases of sexual and physical child abuse? Mr J.A. McGINTY
AnswerView source ↗
As the Leader of the Opposition refused to do when he was in government! This is a stunt that the Leader of the Opposition is trying to pull. Mr C.J. Barnett: It is not a stunt. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It is a stunt, because the Leader of the Opposition refused to do it when he was in government. The Leader of the Opposition is now playing from the position of opposition and trying to be holier than thou, but people can see right through his hypocrisy. What we did yesterday was announce a significant initiative for protecting our children. Does the Leader of the Opposition agree with that initiative? Mr C.J. Barnett: Yes, but it is limited. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Leader of the Opposition very much. At least we have some support from the Opposition for this very important initiative, recommended by Magistrate Sue Gordon, that will ensure that when young children acquire a sexually transmitted infection, that matter is reported to the police so that the perpetrator of that sexual abuse can be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and also that it is reported to the Department for Community Development so that the child can be offered care and protection. This is also an issue on which the Australian Medical Association expressed some reasonably strong views. We want to ensure also that the child receives medical treatment for the sexually transmitted infection that he or she has contracted. I thank the Opposition for its indication of support for this very important policy initiative, which will be very much in the interests of children in this State. Therefore, the answer is - (1)-(2) Yes. (3) No.
(2) Do children who show any signs of sexual abuse also not deserve immediate and appropriate action for protection, proper treatment and care? (3) If so, will the minister now commit to give bipartisan support for the introduction of a proper and comprehensive mandatory reporting system that requires doctors, nurses, welfare officers and teachers to report all suspected cases of sexual and physical child abuse? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: As the Leader of the Opposition refused to do when he was in government! This is a stunt that the Leader of the Opposition is trying to pull. Mr C.J. Barnett: It is not a stunt. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It is a stunt, because the Leader of the Opposition refused to do it when he was in government. The Leader of the Opposition is now playing from the position of opposition and trying to be holier than thou, but people can see right through his hypocrisy. What we did yesterday was announce a significant initiative for protecting our children. Does the Leader of the Opposition agree with that initiative? Mr C.J. Barnett: Yes, but it is limited. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Leader of the Opposition very much. At least we have some support from the Opposition for this very important initiative, recommended by Magistrate Sue Gordon, that will ensure that when young children acquire a sexually transmitted infection, that matter is reported to the police so that the perpetrator of that sexual abuse can be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and also that it is reported to the Department for Community Development so that the child can be offered care and protection. This is also an issue on which the Australian Medical Association expressed some reasonably strong views. We want to ensure also that the child receives medical treatment for the sexually transmitted infection that he or she has contracted. I thank the Opposition for its indication of support for this very important policy initiative, which will be very much in the interests of children in this State. Therefore, the answer is - (1)-(2) Yes. (3) No.
(3) If so, will the minister now commit to give bipartisan support for the introduction of a proper and comprehensive mandatory reporting system that requires doctors, nurses, welfare officers and teachers to report all suspected cases of sexual and physical child abuse? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: As the Leader of the Opposition refused to do when he was in government! This is a stunt that the Leader of the Opposition is trying to pull. Mr C.J. Barnett: It is not a stunt. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It is a stunt, because the Leader of the Opposition refused to do it when he was in government. The Leader of the Opposition is now playing from the position of opposition and trying to be holier than thou, but people can see right through his hypocrisy. What we did yesterday was announce a significant initiative for protecting our children. Does the Leader of the Opposition agree with that initiative? Mr C.J. Barnett: Yes, but it is limited. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Leader of the Opposition very much. At least we have some support from the Opposition for this very important initiative, recommended by Magistrate Sue Gordon, that will ensure that when young children acquire a sexually transmitted infection, that matter is reported to the police so that the perpetrator of that sexual abuse can be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and also that it is reported to the Department for Community Development so that the child can be offered care and protection. This is also an issue on which the Australian Medical Association expressed some reasonably strong views. We want to ensure also that the child receives medical treatment for the sexually transmitted infection that he or she has contracted. I thank the Opposition for its indication of support for this very important policy initiative, which will be very much in the interests of children in this State. Therefore, the answer is - (1)-(2) Yes. (3) No.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: As the Leader of the Opposition refused to do when he was in government! This is a stunt that the Leader of the Opposition is trying to pull. Mr C.J. Barnett: It is not a stunt. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It is a stunt, because the Leader of the Opposition refused to do it when he was in government. The Leader of the Opposition is now playing from the position of opposition and trying to be holier than thou, but people can see right through his hypocrisy. What we did yesterday was announce a significant initiative for protecting our children. Does the Leader of the Opposition agree with that initiative? Mr C.J. Barnett: Yes, but it is limited. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Leader of the Opposition very much. At least we have some support from the Opposition for this very important initiative, recommended by Magistrate Sue Gordon, that will ensure that when young children acquire a sexually transmitted infection, that matter is reported to the police so that the perpetrator of that sexual abuse can be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and also that it is reported to the Department for Community Development so that the child can be offered care and protection. This is also an issue on which the Australian Medical Association expressed some reasonably strong views. We want to ensure also that the child receives medical treatment for the sexually transmitted infection that he or she has contracted. I thank the Opposition for its indication of support for this very important policy initiative, which will be very much in the interests of children in this State. Therefore, the answer is - (1)-(2) Yes. (3) No.
As the Leader of the Opposition refused to do when he was in government! This is a stunt that the Leader of the Opposition is trying to pull. Mr C.J. Barnett: It is not a stunt. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It is a stunt, because the Leader of the Opposition refused to do it when he was in government. The Leader of the Opposition is now playing from the position of opposition and trying to be holier than thou, but people can see right through his hypocrisy. What we did yesterday was announce a significant initiative for protecting our children. Does the Leader of the Opposition agree with that initiative? Mr C.J. Barnett: Yes, but it is limited. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Leader of the Opposition very much. At least we have some support from the Opposition for this very important initiative, recommended by Magistrate Sue Gordon, that will ensure that when young children acquire a sexually transmitted infection, that matter is reported to the police so that the perpetrator of that sexual abuse can be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and also that it is reported to the Department for Community Development so that the child can be offered care and protection. This is also an issue on which the Australian Medical Association expressed some reasonably strong views. We want to ensure also that the child receives medical treatment for the sexually transmitted infection that he or she has contracted. I thank the Opposition for its indication of support for this very important policy initiative, which will be very much in the interests of children in this State. Therefore, the answer is - (1)-(2) Yes. (3) No.
Mr C.J. Barnett: It is not a stunt. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It is a stunt, because the Leader of the Opposition refused to do it when he was in government. The Leader of the Opposition is now playing from the position of opposition and trying to be holier than thou, but people can see right through his hypocrisy. What we did yesterday was announce a significant initiative for protecting our children. Does the Leader of the Opposition agree with that initiative? Mr C.J. Barnett: Yes, but it is limited. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Leader of the Opposition very much. At least we have some support from the Opposition for this very important initiative, recommended by Magistrate Sue Gordon, that will ensure that when young children acquire a sexually transmitted infection, that matter is reported to the police so that the perpetrator of that sexual abuse can be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and also that it is reported to the Department for Community Development so that the child can be offered care and protection. This is also an issue on which the Australian Medical Association expressed some reasonably strong views. We want to ensure also that the child receives medical treatment for the sexually transmitted infection that he or she has contracted. I thank the Opposition for its indication of support for this very important policy initiative, which will be very much in the interests of children in this State. Therefore, the answer is - (1)-(2) Yes. (3) No.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: It is a stunt, because the Leader of the Opposition refused to do it when he was in government. The Leader of the Opposition is now playing from the position of opposition and trying to be holier than thou, but people can see right through his hypocrisy. What we did yesterday was announce a significant initiative for protecting our children. Does the Leader of the Opposition agree with that initiative? Mr C.J. Barnett: Yes, but it is limited. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Leader of the Opposition very much. At least we have some support from the Opposition for this very important initiative, recommended by Magistrate Sue Gordon, that will ensure that when young children acquire a sexually transmitted infection, that matter is reported to the police so that the perpetrator of that sexual abuse can be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and also that it is reported to the Department for Community Development so that the child can be offered care and protection. This is also an issue on which the Australian Medical Association expressed some reasonably strong views. We want to ensure also that the child receives medical treatment for the sexually transmitted infection that he or she has contracted. I thank the Opposition for its indication of support for this very important policy initiative, which will be very much in the interests of children in this State. Therefore, the answer is - (1)-(2) Yes. (3) No.
Mr C.J. Barnett: Yes, but it is limited. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Leader of the Opposition very much. At least we have some support from the Opposition for this very important initiative, recommended by Magistrate Sue Gordon, that will ensure that when young children acquire a sexually transmitted infection, that matter is reported to the police so that the perpetrator of that sexual abuse can be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and also that it is reported to the Department for Community Development so that the child can be offered care and protection. This is also an issue on which the Australian Medical Association expressed some reasonably strong views. We want to ensure also that the child receives medical treatment for the sexually transmitted infection that he or she has contracted. I thank the Opposition for its indication of support for this very important policy initiative, which will be very much in the interests of children in this State. Therefore, the answer is - (1)-(2) Yes. (3) No.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Leader of the Opposition very much. At least we have some support from the Opposition for this very important initiative, recommended by Magistrate Sue Gordon, that will ensure that when young children acquire a sexually transmitted infection, that matter is reported to the police so that the perpetrator of that sexual abuse can be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and also that it is reported to the Department for Community Development so that the child can be offered care and protection. This is also an issue on which the Australian Medical Association expressed some reasonably strong views. We want to ensure also that the child receives medical treatment for the sexually transmitted infection that he or she has contracted. I thank the Opposition for its indication of support for this very important policy initiative, which will be very much in the interests of children in this State. Therefore, the answer is - (1)-(2) Yes. (3) No.
(1)-(2) Yes. (3) No.
(3) No.
(2) Do children who show any signs of sexual abuse also not deserve immediate and appropriate action for protection, proper treatment and care? (3) If so, will the minister now commit to give bipartisan support for the introduction of a proper and comprehensive mandatory reporting system that requires doctors, nurses, welfare officers and teachers to report all suspected cases of sexual and physical child abuse? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: As the Leader of the Opposition refused to do when he was in government! This is a stunt that the Leader of the Opposition is trying to pull. Mr C.J. Barnett: It is not a stunt. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It is a stunt, because the Leader of the Opposition refused to do it when he was in government. The Leader of the Opposition is now playing from the position of opposition and trying to be holier than thou, but people can see right through his hypocrisy. What we did yesterday was announce a significant initiative for protecting our children. Does the Leader of the Opposition agree with that initiative? Mr C.J. Barnett: Yes, but it is limited. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Leader of the Opposition very much. At least we have some support from the Opposition for this very important initiative, recommended by Magistrate Sue Gordon, that will ensure that when young children acquire a sexually transmitted infection, that matter is reported to the police so that the perpetrator of that sexual abuse can be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and also that it is reported to the Department for Community Development so that the child can be offered care and protection. This is also an issue on which the Australian Medical Association expressed some reasonably strong views. We want to ensure also that the child receives medical treatment for the sexually transmitted infection that he or she has contracted. I thank the Opposition for its indication of support for this very important policy initiative, which will be very much in the interests of children in this State. Therefore, the answer is - (1)-(2) Yes. (3) No.
(3) If so, will the minister now commit to give bipartisan support for the introduction of a proper and comprehensive mandatory reporting system that requires doctors, nurses, welfare officers and teachers to report all suspected cases of sexual and physical child abuse? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: As the Leader of the Opposition refused to do when he was in government! This is a stunt that the Leader of the Opposition is trying to pull. Mr C.J. Barnett: It is not a stunt. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It is a stunt, because the Leader of the Opposition refused to do it when he was in government. The Leader of the Opposition is now playing from the position of opposition and trying to be holier than thou, but people can see right through his hypocrisy. What we did yesterday was announce a significant initiative for protecting our children. Does the Leader of the Opposition agree with that initiative? Mr C.J. Barnett: Yes, but it is limited. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Leader of the Opposition very much. At least we have some support from the Opposition for this very important initiative, recommended by Magistrate Sue Gordon, that will ensure that when young children acquire a sexually transmitted infection, that matter is reported to the police so that the perpetrator of that sexual abuse can be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and also that it is reported to the Department for Community Development so that the child can be offered care and protection. This is also an issue on which the Australian Medical Association expressed some reasonably strong views. We want to ensure also that the child receives medical treatment for the sexually transmitted infection that he or she has contracted. I thank the Opposition for its indication of support for this very important policy initiative, which will be very much in the interests of children in this State. Therefore, the answer is - (1)-(2) Yes. (3) No.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: As the Leader of the Opposition refused to do when he was in government! This is a stunt that the Leader of the Opposition is trying to pull. Mr C.J. Barnett: It is not a stunt. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It is a stunt, because the Leader of the Opposition refused to do it when he was in government. The Leader of the Opposition is now playing from the position of opposition and trying to be holier than thou, but people can see right through his hypocrisy. What we did yesterday was announce a significant initiative for protecting our children. Does the Leader of the Opposition agree with that initiative? Mr C.J. Barnett: Yes, but it is limited. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Leader of the Opposition very much. At least we have some support from the Opposition for this very important initiative, recommended by Magistrate Sue Gordon, that will ensure that when young children acquire a sexually transmitted infection, that matter is reported to the police so that the perpetrator of that sexual abuse can be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and also that it is reported to the Department for Community Development so that the child can be offered care and protection. This is also an issue on which the Australian Medical Association expressed some reasonably strong views. We want to ensure also that the child receives medical treatment for the sexually transmitted infection that he or she has contracted. I thank the Opposition for its indication of support for this very important policy initiative, which will be very much in the interests of children in this State. Therefore, the answer is - (1)-(2) Yes. (3) No.
As the Leader of the Opposition refused to do when he was in government! This is a stunt that the Leader of the Opposition is trying to pull. Mr C.J. Barnett: It is not a stunt. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It is a stunt, because the Leader of the Opposition refused to do it when he was in government. The Leader of the Opposition is now playing from the position of opposition and trying to be holier than thou, but people can see right through his hypocrisy. What we did yesterday was announce a significant initiative for protecting our children. Does the Leader of the Opposition agree with that initiative? Mr C.J. Barnett: Yes, but it is limited. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Leader of the Opposition very much. At least we have some support from the Opposition for this very important initiative, recommended by Magistrate Sue Gordon, that will ensure that when young children acquire a sexually transmitted infection, that matter is reported to the police so that the perpetrator of that sexual abuse can be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and also that it is reported to the Department for Community Development so that the child can be offered care and protection. This is also an issue on which the Australian Medical Association expressed some reasonably strong views. We want to ensure also that the child receives medical treatment for the sexually transmitted infection that he or she has contracted. I thank the Opposition for its indication of support for this very important policy initiative, which will be very much in the interests of children in this State. Therefore, the answer is - (1)-(2) Yes. (3) No.
Mr C.J. Barnett: It is not a stunt. Mr J.A. McGINTY: It is a stunt, because the Leader of the Opposition refused to do it when he was in government. The Leader of the Opposition is now playing from the position of opposition and trying to be holier than thou, but people can see right through his hypocrisy. What we did yesterday was announce a significant initiative for protecting our children. Does the Leader of the Opposition agree with that initiative? Mr C.J. Barnett: Yes, but it is limited. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Leader of the Opposition very much. At least we have some support from the Opposition for this very important initiative, recommended by Magistrate Sue Gordon, that will ensure that when young children acquire a sexually transmitted infection, that matter is reported to the police so that the perpetrator of that sexual abuse can be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and also that it is reported to the Department for Community Development so that the child can be offered care and protection. This is also an issue on which the Australian Medical Association expressed some reasonably strong views. We want to ensure also that the child receives medical treatment for the sexually transmitted infection that he or she has contracted. I thank the Opposition for its indication of support for this very important policy initiative, which will be very much in the interests of children in this State. Therefore, the answer is - (1)-(2) Yes. (3) No.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: It is a stunt, because the Leader of the Opposition refused to do it when he was in government. The Leader of the Opposition is now playing from the position of opposition and trying to be holier than thou, but people can see right through his hypocrisy. What we did yesterday was announce a significant initiative for protecting our children. Does the Leader of the Opposition agree with that initiative? Mr C.J. Barnett: Yes, but it is limited. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Leader of the Opposition very much. At least we have some support from the Opposition for this very important initiative, recommended by Magistrate Sue Gordon, that will ensure that when young children acquire a sexually transmitted infection, that matter is reported to the police so that the perpetrator of that sexual abuse can be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and also that it is reported to the Department for Community Development so that the child can be offered care and protection. This is also an issue on which the Australian Medical Association expressed some reasonably strong views. We want to ensure also that the child receives medical treatment for the sexually transmitted infection that he or she has contracted. I thank the Opposition for its indication of support for this very important policy initiative, which will be very much in the interests of children in this State. Therefore, the answer is - (1)-(2) Yes. (3) No.
Mr C.J. Barnett: Yes, but it is limited. Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Leader of the Opposition very much. At least we have some support from the Opposition for this very important initiative, recommended by Magistrate Sue Gordon, that will ensure that when young children acquire a sexually transmitted infection, that matter is reported to the police so that the perpetrator of that sexual abuse can be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and also that it is reported to the Department for Community Development so that the child can be offered care and protection. This is also an issue on which the Australian Medical Association expressed some reasonably strong views. We want to ensure also that the child receives medical treatment for the sexually transmitted infection that he or she has contracted. I thank the Opposition for its indication of support for this very important policy initiative, which will be very much in the interests of children in this State. Therefore, the answer is - (1)-(2) Yes. (3) No.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: I thank the Leader of the Opposition very much. At least we have some support from the Opposition for this very important initiative, recommended by Magistrate Sue Gordon, that will ensure that when young children acquire a sexually transmitted infection, that matter is reported to the police so that the perpetrator of that sexual abuse can be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and also that it is reported to the Department for Community Development so that the child can be offered care and protection. This is also an issue on which the Australian Medical Association expressed some reasonably strong views. We want to ensure also that the child receives medical treatment for the sexually transmitted infection that he or she has contracted. I thank the Opposition for its indication of support for this very important policy initiative, which will be very much in the interests of children in this State. Therefore, the answer is - (1)-(2) Yes. (3) No.
(1)-(2) Yes. (3) No.
(3) No.
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