A WA parliamentary question seeks detailed data on child deaths, particularly those known to the Department of Community Development, focusing on age, Indigenous status, and region. The Minister provides specific figures, acknowledging data limitations regarding Indigenous status reporting by the coroner.

AnsweredQoN 584Legislative Council
Asked
22 August 2006
Portfolio
Community Development

QuestionView source ↗

CHILD DEATH REVIEW COMMITTEE - REPORT
I refer to the Child Death Review Committee report tabled in May 2006. (1) The year Wade Scale died, 80 children died. Of those 80 children, 42 had some form of contact with the department. Of those 42 children, how many were aged five years and under? Please detail the age at which they died. (2) How many of those 42 children were Aboriginal children five years and under? Please detail the ages at the time of death. (3) What regions did the children come from? (4) In 2004-05, 96 children died. Of those 96 children, 53 had some form of contact with the department. Of those 53 children, how many were aged five years and under? Please detail ages at the time of death. (5) How many of those 53 children were Aboriginal children aged five years and under? Please detail ages at time of death. (6) What regions did those children come from? Hon KATE DOUST

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) In the year Wade Scale died, of the 42 children who had some form of contact with the department 30 were aged five or under. Twenty-one were aged one or under; four were aged two years; three were aged three years; one was aged four years; and one was aged five years. (2) Of the 30 children who were five years and under, 15 were known to be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders and six were unknown. Ten were aged one year or under; two were aged two years; two were aged three years; and one was aged five years. (3) By district, the number of children who came from the Kimberley was six; Midland, five; Rockingham, five; Armadale, three; Cannington, two; goldfields, two; Pilbara, two; Murchison, two; Fremantle, one; south west, one; and Perth, one. (4) Of the 53 who were known to the department, 42 were aged five years or under; 34 were aged one year or under; three were aged two years; two were aged three years; three were aged four years; and one was aged five. (5) The coroner does not advise the child’s indigenous status. However, 15 Aboriginal children aged five years and under were known to DCD. Of these, 12 were aged one year and under; one was aged two years; and two were aged four years. (6) Of the 43 children aged five years and under who had some form of contact with the department, six children came from the Kimberley; six from Perth; five from Armadale; five from Mirrabooka; three from Cannington; three from Midland; three from the south west; two from Fremantle; two from the goldfields; two from the great southern; two from Rockingham; one from Joondalup; one from Murchison; one from the Pilbara; and one from the wheatbelt.
(1) The year Wade Scale died, 80 children died. Of those 80 children, 42 had some form of contact with the department. Of those 42 children, how many were aged five years and under? Please detail the age at which they died. (2) How many of those 42 children were Aboriginal children five years and under? Please detail the ages at the time of death. (3) What regions did the children come from? (4) In 2004-05, 96 children died. Of those 96 children, 53 had some form of contact with the department. Of those 53 children, how many were aged five years and under? Please detail ages at the time of death. (5) How many of those 53 children were Aboriginal children aged five years and under? Please detail ages at time of death. (6) What regions did those children come from? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) In the year Wade Scale died, of the 42 children who had some form of contact with the department 30 were aged five or under. Twenty-one were aged one or under; four were aged two years; three were aged three years; one was aged four years; and one was aged five years. (2) Of the 30 children who were five years and under, 15 were known to be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders and six were unknown. Ten were aged one year or under; two were aged two years; two were aged three years; and one was aged five years. (3) By district, the number of children who came from the Kimberley was six; Midland, five; Rockingham, five; Armadale, three; Cannington, two; goldfields, two; Pilbara, two; Murchison, two; Fremantle, one; south west, one; and Perth, one. (4) Of the 53 who were known to the department, 42 were aged five years or under; 34 were aged one year or under; three were aged two years; two were aged three years; three were aged four years; and one was aged five. (5) The coroner does not advise the child’s indigenous status. However, 15 Aboriginal children aged five years and under were known to DCD. Of these, 12 were aged one year and under; one was aged two years; and two were aged four years. (6) Of the 43 children aged five years and under who had some form of contact with the department, six children came from the Kimberley; six from Perth; five from Armadale; five from Mirrabooka; three from Cannington; three from Midland; three from the south west; two from Fremantle; two from the goldfields; two from the great southern; two from Rockingham; one from Joondalup; one from Murchison; one from the Pilbara; and one from the wheatbelt.
(2) How many of those 42 children were Aboriginal children five years and under? Please detail the ages at the time of death. (3) What regions did the children come from? (4) In 2004-05, 96 children died. Of those 96 children, 53 had some form of contact with the department. Of those 53 children, how many were aged five years and under? Please detail ages at the time of death. (5) How many of those 53 children were Aboriginal children aged five years and under? Please detail ages at time of death. (6) What regions did those children come from? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) In the year Wade Scale died, of the 42 children who had some form of contact with the department 30 were aged five or under. Twenty-one were aged one or under; four were aged two years; three were aged three years; one was aged four years; and one was aged five years. (2) Of the 30 children who were five years and under, 15 were known to be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders and six were unknown. Ten were aged one year or under; two were aged two years; two were aged three years; and one was aged five years. (3) By district, the number of children who came from the Kimberley was six; Midland, five; Rockingham, five; Armadale, three; Cannington, two; goldfields, two; Pilbara, two; Murchison, two; Fremantle, one; south west, one; and Perth, one. (4) Of the 53 who were known to the department, 42 were aged five years or under; 34 were aged one year or under; three were aged two years; two were aged three years; three were aged four years; and one was aged five. (5) The coroner does not advise the child’s indigenous status. However, 15 Aboriginal children aged five years and under were known to DCD. Of these, 12 were aged one year and under; one was aged two years; and two were aged four years. (6) Of the 43 children aged five years and under who had some form of contact with the department, six children came from the Kimberley; six from Perth; five from Armadale; five from Mirrabooka; three from Cannington; three from Midland; three from the south west; two from Fremantle; two from the goldfields; two from the great southern; two from Rockingham; one from Joondalup; one from Murchison; one from the Pilbara; and one from the wheatbelt.
(3) What regions did the children come from? (4) In 2004-05, 96 children died. Of those 96 children, 53 had some form of contact with the department. Of those 53 children, how many were aged five years and under? Please detail ages at the time of death. (5) How many of those 53 children were Aboriginal children aged five years and under? Please detail ages at time of death. (6) What regions did those children come from? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) In the year Wade Scale died, of the 42 children who had some form of contact with the department 30 were aged five or under. Twenty-one were aged one or under; four were aged two years; three were aged three years; one was aged four years; and one was aged five years. (2) Of the 30 children who were five years and under, 15 were known to be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders and six were unknown. Ten were aged one year or under; two were aged two years; two were aged three years; and one was aged five years. (3) By district, the number of children who came from the Kimberley was six; Midland, five; Rockingham, five; Armadale, three; Cannington, two; goldfields, two; Pilbara, two; Murchison, two; Fremantle, one; south west, one; and Perth, one. (4) Of the 53 who were known to the department, 42 were aged five years or under; 34 were aged one year or under; three were aged two years; two were aged three years; three were aged four years; and one was aged five. (5) The coroner does not advise the child’s indigenous status. However, 15 Aboriginal children aged five years and under were known to DCD. Of these, 12 were aged one year and under; one was aged two years; and two were aged four years. (6) Of the 43 children aged five years and under who had some form of contact with the department, six children came from the Kimberley; six from Perth; five from Armadale; five from Mirrabooka; three from Cannington; three from Midland; three from the south west; two from Fremantle; two from the goldfields; two from the great southern; two from Rockingham; one from Joondalup; one from Murchison; one from the Pilbara; and one from the wheatbelt.
(4) In 2004-05, 96 children died. Of those 96 children, 53 had some form of contact with the department. Of those 53 children, how many were aged five years and under? Please detail ages at the time of death. (5) How many of those 53 children were Aboriginal children aged five years and under? Please detail ages at time of death. (6) What regions did those children come from? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) In the year Wade Scale died, of the 42 children who had some form of contact with the department 30 were aged five or under. Twenty-one were aged one or under; four were aged two years; three were aged three years; one was aged four years; and one was aged five years. (2) Of the 30 children who were five years and under, 15 were known to be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders and six were unknown. Ten were aged one year or under; two were aged two years; two were aged three years; and one was aged five years. (3) By district, the number of children who came from the Kimberley was six; Midland, five; Rockingham, five; Armadale, three; Cannington, two; goldfields, two; Pilbara, two; Murchison, two; Fremantle, one; south west, one; and Perth, one. (4) Of the 53 who were known to the department, 42 were aged five years or under; 34 were aged one year or under; three were aged two years; two were aged three years; three were aged four years; and one was aged five. (5) The coroner does not advise the child’s indigenous status. However, 15 Aboriginal children aged five years and under were known to DCD. Of these, 12 were aged one year and under; one was aged two years; and two were aged four years. (6) Of the 43 children aged five years and under who had some form of contact with the department, six children came from the Kimberley; six from Perth; five from Armadale; five from Mirrabooka; three from Cannington; three from Midland; three from the south west; two from Fremantle; two from the goldfields; two from the great southern; two from Rockingham; one from Joondalup; one from Murchison; one from the Pilbara; and one from the wheatbelt.
(5) How many of those 53 children were Aboriginal children aged five years and under? Please detail ages at time of death. (6) What regions did those children come from? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) In the year Wade Scale died, of the 42 children who had some form of contact with the department 30 were aged five or under. Twenty-one were aged one or under; four were aged two years; three were aged three years; one was aged four years; and one was aged five years. (2) Of the 30 children who were five years and under, 15 were known to be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders and six were unknown. Ten were aged one year or under; two were aged two years; two were aged three years; and one was aged five years. (3) By district, the number of children who came from the Kimberley was six; Midland, five; Rockingham, five; Armadale, three; Cannington, two; goldfields, two; Pilbara, two; Murchison, two; Fremantle, one; south west, one; and Perth, one. (4) Of the 53 who were known to the department, 42 were aged five years or under; 34 were aged one year or under; three were aged two years; two were aged three years; three were aged four years; and one was aged five. (5) The coroner does not advise the child’s indigenous status. However, 15 Aboriginal children aged five years and under were known to DCD. Of these, 12 were aged one year and under; one was aged two years; and two were aged four years. (6) Of the 43 children aged five years and under who had some form of contact with the department, six children came from the Kimberley; six from Perth; five from Armadale; five from Mirrabooka; three from Cannington; three from Midland; three from the south west; two from Fremantle; two from the goldfields; two from the great southern; two from Rockingham; one from Joondalup; one from Murchison; one from the Pilbara; and one from the wheatbelt.
(6) What regions did those children come from? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) In the year Wade Scale died, of the 42 children who had some form of contact with the department 30 were aged five or under. Twenty-one were aged one or under; four were aged two years; three were aged three years; one was aged four years; and one was aged five years. (2) Of the 30 children who were five years and under, 15 were known to be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders and six were unknown. Ten were aged one year or under; two were aged two years; two were aged three years; and one was aged five years. (3) By district, the number of children who came from the Kimberley was six; Midland, five; Rockingham, five; Armadale, three; Cannington, two; goldfields, two; Pilbara, two; Murchison, two; Fremantle, one; south west, one; and Perth, one. (4) Of the 53 who were known to the department, 42 were aged five years or under; 34 were aged one year or under; three were aged two years; two were aged three years; three were aged four years; and one was aged five. (5) The coroner does not advise the child’s indigenous status. However, 15 Aboriginal children aged five years and under were known to DCD. Of these, 12 were aged one year and under; one was aged two years; and two were aged four years. (6) Of the 43 children aged five years and under who had some form of contact with the department, six children came from the Kimberley; six from Perth; five from Armadale; five from Mirrabooka; three from Cannington; three from Midland; three from the south west; two from Fremantle; two from the goldfields; two from the great southern; two from Rockingham; one from Joondalup; one from Murchison; one from the Pilbara; and one from the wheatbelt.
Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) In the year Wade Scale died, of the 42 children who had some form of contact with the department 30 were aged five or under. Twenty-one were aged one or under; four were aged two years; three were aged three years; one was aged four years; and one was aged five years. (2) Of the 30 children who were five years and under, 15 were known to be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders and six were unknown. Ten were aged one year or under; two were aged two years; two were aged three years; and one was aged five years. (3) By district, the number of children who came from the Kimberley was six; Midland, five; Rockingham, five; Armadale, three; Cannington, two; goldfields, two; Pilbara, two; Murchison, two; Fremantle, one; south west, one; and Perth, one. (4) Of the 53 who were known to the department, 42 were aged five years or under; 34 were aged one year or under; three were aged two years; two were aged three years; three were aged four years; and one was aged five. (5) The coroner does not advise the child’s indigenous status. However, 15 Aboriginal children aged five years and under were known to DCD. Of these, 12 were aged one year and under; one was aged two years; and two were aged four years. (6) Of the 43 children aged five years and under who had some form of contact with the department, six children came from the Kimberley; six from Perth; five from Armadale; five from Mirrabooka; three from Cannington; three from Midland; three from the south west; two from Fremantle; two from the goldfields; two from the great southern; two from Rockingham; one from Joondalup; one from Murchison; one from the Pilbara; and one from the wheatbelt.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) In the year Wade Scale died, of the 42 children who had some form of contact with the department 30 were aged five or under. Twenty-one were aged one or under; four were aged two years; three were aged three years; one was aged four years; and one was aged five years. (2) Of the 30 children who were five years and under, 15 were known to be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders and six were unknown. Ten were aged one year or under; two were aged two years; two were aged three years; and one was aged five years. (3) By district, the number of children who came from the Kimberley was six; Midland, five; Rockingham, five; Armadale, three; Cannington, two; goldfields, two; Pilbara, two; Murchison, two; Fremantle, one; south west, one; and Perth, one. (4) Of the 53 who were known to the department, 42 were aged five years or under; 34 were aged one year or under; three were aged two years; two were aged three years; three were aged four years; and one was aged five. (5) The coroner does not advise the child’s indigenous status. However, 15 Aboriginal children aged five years and under were known to DCD. Of these, 12 were aged one year and under; one was aged two years; and two were aged four years. (6) Of the 43 children aged five years and under who had some form of contact with the department, six children came from the Kimberley; six from Perth; five from Armadale; five from Mirrabooka; three from Cannington; three from Midland; three from the south west; two from Fremantle; two from the goldfields; two from the great southern; two from Rockingham; one from Joondalup; one from Murchison; one from the Pilbara; and one from the wheatbelt.
(1) In the year Wade Scale died, of the 42 children who had some form of contact with the department 30 were aged five or under. Twenty-one were aged one or under; four were aged two years; three were aged three years; one was aged four years; and one was aged five years. (2) Of the 30 children who were five years and under, 15 were known to be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders and six were unknown. Ten were aged one year or under; two were aged two years; two were aged three years; and one was aged five years. (3) By district, the number of children who came from the Kimberley was six; Midland, five; Rockingham, five; Armadale, three; Cannington, two; goldfields, two; Pilbara, two; Murchison, two; Fremantle, one; south west, one; and Perth, one. (4) Of the 53 who were known to the department, 42 were aged five years or under; 34 were aged one year or under; three were aged two years; two were aged three years; three were aged four years; and one was aged five. (5) The coroner does not advise the child’s indigenous status. However, 15 Aboriginal children aged five years and under were known to DCD. Of these, 12 were aged one year and under; one was aged two years; and two were aged four years. (6) Of the 43 children aged five years and under who had some form of contact with the department, six children came from the Kimberley; six from Perth; five from Armadale; five from Mirrabooka; three from Cannington; three from Midland; three from the south west; two from Fremantle; two from the goldfields; two from the great southern; two from Rockingham; one from Joondalup; one from Murchison; one from the Pilbara; and one from the wheatbelt.
(2) Of the 30 children who were five years and under, 15 were known to be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders and six were unknown. Ten were aged one year or under; two were aged two years; two were aged three years; and one was aged five years. (3) By district, the number of children who came from the Kimberley was six; Midland, five; Rockingham, five; Armadale, three; Cannington, two; goldfields, two; Pilbara, two; Murchison, two; Fremantle, one; south west, one; and Perth, one. (4) Of the 53 who were known to the department, 42 were aged five years or under; 34 were aged one year or under; three were aged two years; two were aged three years; three were aged four years; and one was aged five. (5) The coroner does not advise the child’s indigenous status. However, 15 Aboriginal children aged five years and under were known to DCD. Of these, 12 were aged one year and under; one was aged two years; and two were aged four years. (6) Of the 43 children aged five years and under who had some form of contact with the department, six children came from the Kimberley; six from Perth; five from Armadale; five from Mirrabooka; three from Cannington; three from Midland; three from the south west; two from Fremantle; two from the goldfields; two from the great southern; two from Rockingham; one from Joondalup; one from Murchison; one from the Pilbara; and one from the wheatbelt.
(3) By district, the number of children who came from the Kimberley was six; Midland, five; Rockingham, five; Armadale, three; Cannington, two; goldfields, two; Pilbara, two; Murchison, two; Fremantle, one; south west, one; and Perth, one. (4) Of the 53 who were known to the department, 42 were aged five years or under; 34 were aged one year or under; three were aged two years; two were aged three years; three were aged four years; and one was aged five. (5) The coroner does not advise the child’s indigenous status. However, 15 Aboriginal children aged five years and under were known to DCD. Of these, 12 were aged one year and under; one was aged two years; and two were aged four years. (6) Of the 43 children aged five years and under who had some form of contact with the department, six children came from the Kimberley; six from Perth; five from Armadale; five from Mirrabooka; three from Cannington; three from Midland; three from the south west; two from Fremantle; two from the goldfields; two from the great southern; two from Rockingham; one from Joondalup; one from Murchison; one from the Pilbara; and one from the wheatbelt.
(4) Of the 53 who were known to the department, 42 were aged five years or under; 34 were aged one year or under; three were aged two years; two were aged three years; three were aged four years; and one was aged five. (5) The coroner does not advise the child’s indigenous status. However, 15 Aboriginal children aged five years and under were known to DCD. Of these, 12 were aged one year and under; one was aged two years; and two were aged four years. (6) Of the 43 children aged five years and under who had some form of contact with the department, six children came from the Kimberley; six from Perth; five from Armadale; five from Mirrabooka; three from Cannington; three from Midland; three from the south west; two from Fremantle; two from the goldfields; two from the great southern; two from Rockingham; one from Joondalup; one from Murchison; one from the Pilbara; and one from the wheatbelt.
(5) The coroner does not advise the child’s indigenous status. However, 15 Aboriginal children aged five years and under were known to DCD. Of these, 12 were aged one year and under; one was aged two years; and two were aged four years. (6) Of the 43 children aged five years and under who had some form of contact with the department, six children came from the Kimberley; six from Perth; five from Armadale; five from Mirrabooka; three from Cannington; three from Midland; three from the south west; two from Fremantle; two from the goldfields; two from the great southern; two from Rockingham; one from Joondalup; one from Murchison; one from the Pilbara; and one from the wheatbelt.
(6) Of the 43 children aged five years and under who had some form of contact with the department, six children came from the Kimberley; six from Perth; five from Armadale; five from Mirrabooka; three from Cannington; three from Midland; three from the south west; two from Fremantle; two from the goldfields; two from the great southern; two from Rockingham; one from Joondalup; one from Murchison; one from the Pilbara; and one from the wheatbelt.

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