❓ Hon Nick Goiran questions the Department of Communities on the progress of the ASSIST Case Management System Replacement Program, particularly regarding the implementation of Auditor General's recommendations and the accessibility of sensitive child protection information. The Department confirms the tender process is underway and recommendations have been implemented, justifying the current case file restriction policy.
AnsweredQoN 530Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to page 494 of Budget Paper No. 2, Volume 2, line-item “ASSIST Case Management System Replacement Program”, and I ask: (a) what stage is the replacement program currently at; (b) noting that the Auditor General’s March 2025 Report 9: Child Protection Case Management System – Assist, identified significant system weaknesses that required correction prior to implementation of the new system to protect the sensitive information of vulnerable people: (i) has the Department implemented each of recommendations 1(a), 1(b), 1(c) and 3(a) by the 30 June 2025 timeframe; and (ii) if no to (b)(i), why not; and (c) I further note recommendation 1(b) of that report, which required user access permissions to be reviewed, documented and updated to ensure information is accessible only on a need-to-know basis according to staff roles. I also note the Minister’s response to question without notice 65, that restrictions on client files are applied case-by-case, usually where a conflict of interest is declared, with restricted files then accessible only to nominated officers. Given the sensitivity of this information and the large number of children and families concerned across the state, why are such restrictions not applied as a general rule to all case files, rather than only when conflicts of interest are identified?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 October 2025
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Minister for Child Protection
Response time
6 days
The Department of Communities advises:
(a) A request for tender for a new child protection case management system is currently being prepared in the planning phase of the program
(b)
(i) Yes.
(ii) Not applicable.
(c) Critical information must be available and readily accessible to support assessments regarding the safety and wellbeing of children and provide supports and services to children in care in a timely manner. If client files were restricted as a general rule, there would be a significant risk that essential information would not be accessible to Child Safety Practitioners at the time it is needed. This could compromise the capacity to make informed decisions in the best interests of the child. Restrictions are therefore applied on case-by-case, such as where a conflict of interest is declared, to balance the need for appropriate safeguards with the overarching requirement to prioritise child safety.
(a) A request for tender for a new child protection case management system is currently being prepared in the planning phase of the program
(b)
(i) Yes.
(ii) Not applicable.
(c) Critical information must be available and readily accessible to support assessments regarding the safety and wellbeing of children and provide supports and services to children in care in a timely manner. If client files were restricted as a general rule, there would be a significant risk that essential information would not be accessible to Child Safety Practitioners at the time it is needed. This could compromise the capacity to make informed decisions in the best interests of the child. Restrictions are therefore applied on case-by-case, such as where a conflict of interest is declared, to balance the need for appropriate safeguards with the overarching requirement to prioritise child safety.
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