❓ Ms Mettam questions the Minister for Child Protection regarding a child sex abuse case and criticism of the department's handling of it. The Minister acknowledges the courage of survivors and notes changes in departmental practices.
AnsweredQoN 445Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DB v The State of Western
Australia—Department of Communities
445. Ms Libby Mettam to
the Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to the
judgement delivered on 9 September 2025 in DB v the State of Western Australia,
which awarded the plaintiff almost $3 million in damages for child sex abuse
suffered while a ward of the state.
(1) Is the minister aware of reported criticism
from the plaintiff's lawyer that this case showed that normal practices adopted
by the department and the state were not those of a model litigant?
(2) Will the minister order a review of the
department's handling of this case?
(3) If not, why not?
Australia—Department of Communities
445. Ms Libby Mettam to
the Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to the
judgement delivered on 9 September 2025 in DB v the State of Western Australia,
which awarded the plaintiff almost $3 million in damages for child sex abuse
suffered while a ward of the state.
(1) Is the minister aware of reported criticism
from the plaintiff's lawyer that this case showed that normal practices adopted
by the department and the state were not those of a model litigant?
(2) Will the minister order a review of the
department's handling of this case?
(3) If not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) As the Attorney General pointed
out to me, it probably sits more with him on the legal questions, but I would
like to acknowledge the immense courage it takes for victim-survivors to come
forward when they have suffered from abuse. One of the reasons this state
government removed the limitation period for child sexual abuse claims was to
allow such claims to come forward. I note that this case happened quite a
number of years ago and that the practice in the department is very different
now.
Ms Libby Mettam: That is not what they said.
The Speaker: Member for Vasse!
Dr Tony Buti interjected.
The Speaker: Attorney General!
Dr Tony Buti interjected.
The Speaker: Attorney General, please do not
interject. Member for Vasse, you asked the question. Listen to the response
from the minister.
Ms Libby Mettam: This—
The Speaker: Member for Vasse, I call you to order for
the first time.
Mrs Jessica Stojkovski: I can tell the member for
Vasse that the way the department handles things is very different from even when
my family used to be a foster family. The department learns and adapts to new
information and new practices that come through. I am aware of what the lawyer
said because it was made public in the news, but I will not comment on the
complexity of that individual case itself. I am aware that the department is
looking into the case and that if any changes need to be made, they will be.
out to me, it probably sits more with him on the legal questions, but I would
like to acknowledge the immense courage it takes for victim-survivors to come
forward when they have suffered from abuse. One of the reasons this state
government removed the limitation period for child sexual abuse claims was to
allow such claims to come forward. I note that this case happened quite a
number of years ago and that the practice in the department is very different
now.
Ms Libby Mettam: That is not what they said.
The Speaker: Member for Vasse!
Dr Tony Buti interjected.
The Speaker: Attorney General!
Dr Tony Buti interjected.
The Speaker: Attorney General, please do not
interject. Member for Vasse, you asked the question. Listen to the response
from the minister.
Ms Libby Mettam: This—
The Speaker: Member for Vasse, I call you to order for
the first time.
Mrs Jessica Stojkovski: I can tell the member for
Vasse that the way the department handles things is very different from even when
my family used to be a foster family. The department learns and adapts to new
information and new practices that come through. I am aware of what the lawyer
said because it was made public in the news, but I will not comment on the
complexity of that individual case itself. I am aware that the department is
looking into the case and that if any changes need to be made, they will be.
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