❓ Hon Nick Goiran questions the Minister for Child Protection regarding the whereabouts of children in care who are missing or unaccounted for, following budget estimates. The Minister provides updated figures on their status and actions taken.
AnsweredQoN 690Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Children in care—Whereabouts unknown
690. Hon Nick Goiran to
the minister representing the Minister for Child Protection:
I note that this is
National Child Protection Week and refer to the information provided during the
budget estimates hearing on 26 August 2025.
(1) Have the three children that the department
reported to WA police as missing persons been found?
(2) Have the three children recorded as "unaccounted
for, not in contact" been found?
(3) Are the
whereabouts of the seven children recorded as "unaccounted for, in contact"
now known?
(4) For how many days were the whereabouts of the
13 children unknown and have any reports been received of the children being
victims of crime during this period?
(5) How many children who are in the care of the
CEO have their whereabouts currently recorded as:
(a) unaccounted for, in contact;
(b) unaccounted for, not in contact; and
(c) missing?
690. Hon Nick Goiran to
the minister representing the Minister for Child Protection:
I note that this is
National Child Protection Week and refer to the information provided during the
budget estimates hearing on 26 August 2025.
(1) Have the three children that the department
reported to WA police as missing persons been found?
(2) Have the three children recorded as "unaccounted
for, not in contact" been found?
(3) Are the
whereabouts of the seven children recorded as "unaccounted for, in contact"
now known?
(4) For how many days were the whereabouts of the
13 children unknown and have any reports been received of the children being
victims of crime during this period?
(5) How many children who are in the care of the
CEO have their whereabouts currently recorded as:
(a) unaccounted for, in contact;
(b) unaccounted for, not in contact; and
(c) missing?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the Leader
of the Opposition for some notice of the question. The following response has
been provided by the Minister for Child Protection. The Department of
Communities advises the following, as at 9 September 2025, the date the
question was asked.
(1) The whereabouts of one young person is now
known. One young person was located and is currently missing. One young person
was located and is currently unaccounted for, not in contact.
(2) The whereabouts of one young person is now
known. One young person was located and is currently unaccounted for, not in
contact. One young person was located and is currently unaccounted for, in
contact.
(3) The whereabouts of five of the seven young
people are now known. Two of the young people remain unaccounted for, in
contact.
(4) The period the 13 young people's whereabouts
were unknown ranges between one day and 25 days. All reported or disclosed
allegations or incidents relating to a child in care being a victim of crime
are treated as a priority and investigated accordingly. These matters are
reported to the Department of Communities' senior leadership and the WA Police
Force as appropriate. Communities will actively engage with the young person to
ensure they have access to any counselling, services and supports they need for
their safety and wellbeing.
(5) There are:
(a) five;
(b) seven; and
(c) four.
of the Opposition for some notice of the question. The following response has
been provided by the Minister for Child Protection. The Department of
Communities advises the following, as at 9 September 2025, the date the
question was asked.
(1) The whereabouts of one young person is now
known. One young person was located and is currently missing. One young person
was located and is currently unaccounted for, not in contact.
(2) The whereabouts of one young person is now
known. One young person was located and is currently unaccounted for, not in
contact. One young person was located and is currently unaccounted for, in
contact.
(3) The whereabouts of five of the seven young
people are now known. Two of the young people remain unaccounted for, in
contact.
(4) The period the 13 young people's whereabouts
were unknown ranges between one day and 25 days. All reported or disclosed
allegations or incidents relating to a child in care being a victim of crime
are treated as a priority and investigated accordingly. These matters are
reported to the Department of Communities' senior leadership and the WA Police
Force as appropriate. Communities will actively engage with the young person to
ensure they have access to any counselling, services and supports they need for
their safety and wellbeing.
(5) There are:
(a) five;
(b) seven; and
(c) four.
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