❓ A parliamentary question regarding alleged abuse at St Andrew's Hostel in Katanning and potential cover-ups. The Premier outlines steps taken, including seeking advice on the need for an inquiry.
AnsweredQoN 760Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ST ANDREW’S HOSTEL, KATANNING — ABUSE INQUIRY
I refer to shocking abuse perpetrated on young victims boarding at St Andrew’s hostel, Katanning, and reported cover-ups by state and local government employees. (1) Does the Premier agree that this issue requires a strong government response? (2) When did the Premier first speak to Mal Wauchope about this issue? (3) Will the Premier immediately establish an independent inquiry into this issue to prevent the perceived bias of a government inquiry, and provide justice and closure for these victims? Mr C.J. BARNETT
I refer to shocking abuse perpetrated on young victims boarding at St Andrew’s hostel, Katanning, and reported cover-ups by state and local government employees. (1) Does the Premier agree that this issue requires a strong government response? (2) When did the Premier first speak to Mal Wauchope about this issue? (3) Will the Premier immediately establish an independent inquiry into this issue to prevent the perceived bias of a government inquiry, and provide justice and closure for these victims? Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) I thank the member for Albany for the question. He should raise it; it is a very serious matter and is being treated as such by the government. I met yesterday with the Public Sector Commissioner, Mr Malcolm Wauchope. We discussed the issue, and I subsequently wrote to him yesterday afternoon formally seeking — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I thought it was a serious issue—I think it is. I wrote to Malcolm Wauchope yesterday afternoon seeking his formal advice as to whether an inquiry is warranted—I imagine the answer to that will be yes, but I will wait for that advice—and, if so, what form of inquiry should be conducted. The options are essentially an inquiry within the Public Sector Commission itself, a special inquiry along the form of the Keelty inquiry, or a royal commission. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, if you wish to ask a question, you know the process in this place. At this stage I will formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The government will await a response from Mr Wauchope. I do not imagine that will take very long at all. The matter will then be considered by cabinet. If the opposition is actually serious about the issue, I will inform Parliament of the decision. Ms M.M. Quirk : More serious than you are. That will take three months! The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
(1) Does the Premier agree that this issue requires a strong government response? (2) When did the Premier first speak to Mal Wauchope about this issue? (3) Will the Premier immediately establish an independent inquiry into this issue to prevent the perceived bias of a government inquiry, and provide justice and closure for these victims? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I thank the member for Albany for the question. He should raise it; it is a very serious matter and is being treated as such by the government. I met yesterday with the Public Sector Commissioner, Mr Malcolm Wauchope. We discussed the issue, and I subsequently wrote to him yesterday afternoon formally seeking — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I thought it was a serious issue—I think it is. I wrote to Malcolm Wauchope yesterday afternoon seeking his formal advice as to whether an inquiry is warranted—I imagine the answer to that will be yes, but I will wait for that advice—and, if so, what form of inquiry should be conducted. The options are essentially an inquiry within the Public Sector Commission itself, a special inquiry along the form of the Keelty inquiry, or a royal commission. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, if you wish to ask a question, you know the process in this place. At this stage I will formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The government will await a response from Mr Wauchope. I do not imagine that will take very long at all. The matter will then be considered by cabinet. If the opposition is actually serious about the issue, I will inform Parliament of the decision. Ms M.M. Quirk : More serious than you are. That will take three months! The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
(2) When did the Premier first speak to Mal Wauchope about this issue? (3) Will the Premier immediately establish an independent inquiry into this issue to prevent the perceived bias of a government inquiry, and provide justice and closure for these victims? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I thank the member for Albany for the question. He should raise it; it is a very serious matter and is being treated as such by the government. I met yesterday with the Public Sector Commissioner, Mr Malcolm Wauchope. We discussed the issue, and I subsequently wrote to him yesterday afternoon formally seeking — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I thought it was a serious issue—I think it is. I wrote to Malcolm Wauchope yesterday afternoon seeking his formal advice as to whether an inquiry is warranted—I imagine the answer to that will be yes, but I will wait for that advice—and, if so, what form of inquiry should be conducted. The options are essentially an inquiry within the Public Sector Commission itself, a special inquiry along the form of the Keelty inquiry, or a royal commission. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, if you wish to ask a question, you know the process in this place. At this stage I will formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The government will await a response from Mr Wauchope. I do not imagine that will take very long at all. The matter will then be considered by cabinet. If the opposition is actually serious about the issue, I will inform Parliament of the decision. Ms M.M. Quirk : More serious than you are. That will take three months! The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
(3) Will the Premier immediately establish an independent inquiry into this issue to prevent the perceived bias of a government inquiry, and provide justice and closure for these victims? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I thank the member for Albany for the question. He should raise it; it is a very serious matter and is being treated as such by the government. I met yesterday with the Public Sector Commissioner, Mr Malcolm Wauchope. We discussed the issue, and I subsequently wrote to him yesterday afternoon formally seeking — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I thought it was a serious issue—I think it is. I wrote to Malcolm Wauchope yesterday afternoon seeking his formal advice as to whether an inquiry is warranted—I imagine the answer to that will be yes, but I will wait for that advice—and, if so, what form of inquiry should be conducted. The options are essentially an inquiry within the Public Sector Commission itself, a special inquiry along the form of the Keelty inquiry, or a royal commission. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, if you wish to ask a question, you know the process in this place. At this stage I will formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The government will await a response from Mr Wauchope. I do not imagine that will take very long at all. The matter will then be considered by cabinet. If the opposition is actually serious about the issue, I will inform Parliament of the decision. Ms M.M. Quirk : More serious than you are. That will take three months! The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I thank the member for Albany for the question. He should raise it; it is a very serious matter and is being treated as such by the government. I met yesterday with the Public Sector Commissioner, Mr Malcolm Wauchope. We discussed the issue, and I subsequently wrote to him yesterday afternoon formally seeking — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I thought it was a serious issue—I think it is. I wrote to Malcolm Wauchope yesterday afternoon seeking his formal advice as to whether an inquiry is warranted—I imagine the answer to that will be yes, but I will wait for that advice—and, if so, what form of inquiry should be conducted. The options are essentially an inquiry within the Public Sector Commission itself, a special inquiry along the form of the Keelty inquiry, or a royal commission. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, if you wish to ask a question, you know the process in this place. At this stage I will formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The government will await a response from Mr Wauchope. I do not imagine that will take very long at all. The matter will then be considered by cabinet. If the opposition is actually serious about the issue, I will inform Parliament of the decision. Ms M.M. Quirk : More serious than you are. That will take three months! The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
(1)–(3) I thank the member for Albany for the question. He should raise it; it is a very serious matter and is being treated as such by the government. I met yesterday with the Public Sector Commissioner, Mr Malcolm Wauchope. We discussed the issue, and I subsequently wrote to him yesterday afternoon formally seeking — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I thought it was a serious issue—I think it is. I wrote to Malcolm Wauchope yesterday afternoon seeking his formal advice as to whether an inquiry is warranted—I imagine the answer to that will be yes, but I will wait for that advice—and, if so, what form of inquiry should be conducted. The options are essentially an inquiry within the Public Sector Commission itself, a special inquiry along the form of the Keelty inquiry, or a royal commission. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, if you wish to ask a question, you know the process in this place. At this stage I will formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The government will await a response from Mr Wauchope. I do not imagine that will take very long at all. The matter will then be considered by cabinet. If the opposition is actually serious about the issue, I will inform Parliament of the decision. Ms M.M. Quirk : More serious than you are. That will take three months! The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I thought it was a serious issue—I think it is. I wrote to Malcolm Wauchope yesterday afternoon seeking his formal advice as to whether an inquiry is warranted—I imagine the answer to that will be yes, but I will wait for that advice—and, if so, what form of inquiry should be conducted. The options are essentially an inquiry within the Public Sector Commission itself, a special inquiry along the form of the Keelty inquiry, or a royal commission. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, if you wish to ask a question, you know the process in this place. At this stage I will formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The government will await a response from Mr Wauchope. I do not imagine that will take very long at all. The matter will then be considered by cabinet. If the opposition is actually serious about the issue, I will inform Parliament of the decision. Ms M.M. Quirk : More serious than you are. That will take three months! The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I thought it was a serious issue—I think it is. I wrote to Malcolm Wauchope yesterday afternoon seeking his formal advice as to whether an inquiry is warranted—I imagine the answer to that will be yes, but I will wait for that advice—and, if so, what form of inquiry should be conducted. The options are essentially an inquiry within the Public Sector Commission itself, a special inquiry along the form of the Keelty inquiry, or a royal commission. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, if you wish to ask a question, you know the process in this place. At this stage I will formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The government will await a response from Mr Wauchope. I do not imagine that will take very long at all. The matter will then be considered by cabinet. If the opposition is actually serious about the issue, I will inform Parliament of the decision. Ms M.M. Quirk : More serious than you are. That will take three months! The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
I wrote to Malcolm Wauchope yesterday afternoon seeking his formal advice as to whether an inquiry is warranted—I imagine the answer to that will be yes, but I will wait for that advice—and, if so, what form of inquiry should be conducted. The options are essentially an inquiry within the Public Sector Commission itself, a special inquiry along the form of the Keelty inquiry, or a royal commission. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, if you wish to ask a question, you know the process in this place. At this stage I will formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The government will await a response from Mr Wauchope. I do not imagine that will take very long at all. The matter will then be considered by cabinet. If the opposition is actually serious about the issue, I will inform Parliament of the decision. Ms M.M. Quirk : More serious than you are. That will take three months! The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, if you wish to ask a question, you know the process in this place. At this stage I will formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The government will await a response from Mr Wauchope. I do not imagine that will take very long at all. The matter will then be considered by cabinet. If the opposition is actually serious about the issue, I will inform Parliament of the decision. Ms M.M. Quirk : More serious than you are. That will take three months! The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, if you wish to ask a question, you know the process in this place. At this stage I will formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The government will await a response from Mr Wauchope. I do not imagine that will take very long at all. The matter will then be considered by cabinet. If the opposition is actually serious about the issue, I will inform Parliament of the decision. Ms M.M. Quirk : More serious than you are. That will take three months! The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The government will await a response from Mr Wauchope. I do not imagine that will take very long at all. The matter will then be considered by cabinet. If the opposition is actually serious about the issue, I will inform Parliament of the decision. Ms M.M. Quirk : More serious than you are. That will take three months! The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
Ms M.M. Quirk : More serious than you are. That will take three months! The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
(1) Does the Premier agree that this issue requires a strong government response? (2) When did the Premier first speak to Mal Wauchope about this issue? (3) Will the Premier immediately establish an independent inquiry into this issue to prevent the perceived bias of a government inquiry, and provide justice and closure for these victims? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I thank the member for Albany for the question. He should raise it; it is a very serious matter and is being treated as such by the government. I met yesterday with the Public Sector Commissioner, Mr Malcolm Wauchope. We discussed the issue, and I subsequently wrote to him yesterday afternoon formally seeking — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I thought it was a serious issue—I think it is. I wrote to Malcolm Wauchope yesterday afternoon seeking his formal advice as to whether an inquiry is warranted—I imagine the answer to that will be yes, but I will wait for that advice—and, if so, what form of inquiry should be conducted. The options are essentially an inquiry within the Public Sector Commission itself, a special inquiry along the form of the Keelty inquiry, or a royal commission. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, if you wish to ask a question, you know the process in this place. At this stage I will formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The government will await a response from Mr Wauchope. I do not imagine that will take very long at all. The matter will then be considered by cabinet. If the opposition is actually serious about the issue, I will inform Parliament of the decision. Ms M.M. Quirk : More serious than you are. That will take three months! The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
(2) When did the Premier first speak to Mal Wauchope about this issue? (3) Will the Premier immediately establish an independent inquiry into this issue to prevent the perceived bias of a government inquiry, and provide justice and closure for these victims? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I thank the member for Albany for the question. He should raise it; it is a very serious matter and is being treated as such by the government. I met yesterday with the Public Sector Commissioner, Mr Malcolm Wauchope. We discussed the issue, and I subsequently wrote to him yesterday afternoon formally seeking — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I thought it was a serious issue—I think it is. I wrote to Malcolm Wauchope yesterday afternoon seeking his formal advice as to whether an inquiry is warranted—I imagine the answer to that will be yes, but I will wait for that advice—and, if so, what form of inquiry should be conducted. The options are essentially an inquiry within the Public Sector Commission itself, a special inquiry along the form of the Keelty inquiry, or a royal commission. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, if you wish to ask a question, you know the process in this place. At this stage I will formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The government will await a response from Mr Wauchope. I do not imagine that will take very long at all. The matter will then be considered by cabinet. If the opposition is actually serious about the issue, I will inform Parliament of the decision. Ms M.M. Quirk : More serious than you are. That will take three months! The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
(3) Will the Premier immediately establish an independent inquiry into this issue to prevent the perceived bias of a government inquiry, and provide justice and closure for these victims? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I thank the member for Albany for the question. He should raise it; it is a very serious matter and is being treated as such by the government. I met yesterday with the Public Sector Commissioner, Mr Malcolm Wauchope. We discussed the issue, and I subsequently wrote to him yesterday afternoon formally seeking — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I thought it was a serious issue—I think it is. I wrote to Malcolm Wauchope yesterday afternoon seeking his formal advice as to whether an inquiry is warranted—I imagine the answer to that will be yes, but I will wait for that advice—and, if so, what form of inquiry should be conducted. The options are essentially an inquiry within the Public Sector Commission itself, a special inquiry along the form of the Keelty inquiry, or a royal commission. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, if you wish to ask a question, you know the process in this place. At this stage I will formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The government will await a response from Mr Wauchope. I do not imagine that will take very long at all. The matter will then be considered by cabinet. If the opposition is actually serious about the issue, I will inform Parliament of the decision. Ms M.M. Quirk : More serious than you are. That will take three months! The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I thank the member for Albany for the question. He should raise it; it is a very serious matter and is being treated as such by the government. I met yesterday with the Public Sector Commissioner, Mr Malcolm Wauchope. We discussed the issue, and I subsequently wrote to him yesterday afternoon formally seeking — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I thought it was a serious issue—I think it is. I wrote to Malcolm Wauchope yesterday afternoon seeking his formal advice as to whether an inquiry is warranted—I imagine the answer to that will be yes, but I will wait for that advice—and, if so, what form of inquiry should be conducted. The options are essentially an inquiry within the Public Sector Commission itself, a special inquiry along the form of the Keelty inquiry, or a royal commission. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, if you wish to ask a question, you know the process in this place. At this stage I will formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The government will await a response from Mr Wauchope. I do not imagine that will take very long at all. The matter will then be considered by cabinet. If the opposition is actually serious about the issue, I will inform Parliament of the decision. Ms M.M. Quirk : More serious than you are. That will take three months! The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
(1)–(3) I thank the member for Albany for the question. He should raise it; it is a very serious matter and is being treated as such by the government. I met yesterday with the Public Sector Commissioner, Mr Malcolm Wauchope. We discussed the issue, and I subsequently wrote to him yesterday afternoon formally seeking — Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I thought it was a serious issue—I think it is. I wrote to Malcolm Wauchope yesterday afternoon seeking his formal advice as to whether an inquiry is warranted—I imagine the answer to that will be yes, but I will wait for that advice—and, if so, what form of inquiry should be conducted. The options are essentially an inquiry within the Public Sector Commission itself, a special inquiry along the form of the Keelty inquiry, or a royal commission. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, if you wish to ask a question, you know the process in this place. At this stage I will formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The government will await a response from Mr Wauchope. I do not imagine that will take very long at all. The matter will then be considered by cabinet. If the opposition is actually serious about the issue, I will inform Parliament of the decision. Ms M.M. Quirk : More serious than you are. That will take three months! The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I thought it was a serious issue—I think it is. I wrote to Malcolm Wauchope yesterday afternoon seeking his formal advice as to whether an inquiry is warranted—I imagine the answer to that will be yes, but I will wait for that advice—and, if so, what form of inquiry should be conducted. The options are essentially an inquiry within the Public Sector Commission itself, a special inquiry along the form of the Keelty inquiry, or a royal commission. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, if you wish to ask a question, you know the process in this place. At this stage I will formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The government will await a response from Mr Wauchope. I do not imagine that will take very long at all. The matter will then be considered by cabinet. If the opposition is actually serious about the issue, I will inform Parliament of the decision. Ms M.M. Quirk : More serious than you are. That will take three months! The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I thought it was a serious issue—I think it is. I wrote to Malcolm Wauchope yesterday afternoon seeking his formal advice as to whether an inquiry is warranted—I imagine the answer to that will be yes, but I will wait for that advice—and, if so, what form of inquiry should be conducted. The options are essentially an inquiry within the Public Sector Commission itself, a special inquiry along the form of the Keelty inquiry, or a royal commission. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, if you wish to ask a question, you know the process in this place. At this stage I will formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The government will await a response from Mr Wauchope. I do not imagine that will take very long at all. The matter will then be considered by cabinet. If the opposition is actually serious about the issue, I will inform Parliament of the decision. Ms M.M. Quirk : More serious than you are. That will take three months! The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
I wrote to Malcolm Wauchope yesterday afternoon seeking his formal advice as to whether an inquiry is warranted—I imagine the answer to that will be yes, but I will wait for that advice—and, if so, what form of inquiry should be conducted. The options are essentially an inquiry within the Public Sector Commission itself, a special inquiry along the form of the Keelty inquiry, or a royal commission. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, if you wish to ask a question, you know the process in this place. At this stage I will formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The government will await a response from Mr Wauchope. I do not imagine that will take very long at all. The matter will then be considered by cabinet. If the opposition is actually serious about the issue, I will inform Parliament of the decision. Ms M.M. Quirk : More serious than you are. That will take three months! The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, if you wish to ask a question, you know the process in this place. At this stage I will formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The government will await a response from Mr Wauchope. I do not imagine that will take very long at all. The matter will then be considered by cabinet. If the opposition is actually serious about the issue, I will inform Parliament of the decision. Ms M.M. Quirk : More serious than you are. That will take three months! The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, if you wish to ask a question, you know the process in this place. At this stage I will formally call you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The government will await a response from Mr Wauchope. I do not imagine that will take very long at all. The matter will then be considered by cabinet. If the opposition is actually serious about the issue, I will inform Parliament of the decision. Ms M.M. Quirk : More serious than you are. That will take three months! The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The government will await a response from Mr Wauchope. I do not imagine that will take very long at all. The matter will then be considered by cabinet. If the opposition is actually serious about the issue, I will inform Parliament of the decision. Ms M.M. Quirk : More serious than you are. That will take three months! The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
Ms M.M. Quirk : More serious than you are. That will take three months! The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
The SPEAKER : Member for Girrawheen, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Again, I make the obvious point: this situation happened a long time ago—in the 1980s and perhaps into the early 1990s. I remind the house that the culprit, Mr Dennis McKenna, was found guilty in 1990 of sex offences against students at the hostel, and jailed in 1991. He served six years and four months in jail. More recently, he pleaded guilty to sex offences against children in his care at the hostel between 1975 and 1990. He was jailed for six years in October of this year. The culprit is behind bars; nevertheless, there are other issues. The Department of Education is obviously reviewing its documentation at the moment. I will await the advice of the Public Sector Commissioner; then cabinet will consider it. If we make a decision to hold an inquiry and on what form it should be, I will inform the house immediately.
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