❓ Hon Nick Goiran questions the Minister for Child Protection regarding slow progress in implementing Royal Commission recommendations on child-safe standards, particularly the lack of mandated legislation and an overarching implementation plan. The Minister acknowledges the report and outlines ongoing efforts.
AnsweredQoN 1167Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Auditor General report—Child Sexual Abuse Royal
Commission
1167. Hon Nick Goiran to
the minister representing the Minister for
Child Protection:
I refer to the
Auditor General's November report entitled WA's
Progress to Implement the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations in which the WA government's slow progress in implementing the royal commission's
recommendations is described as disappointing.
(1) Is the minister aware that nearly eight years
since the royal commission concluded, our state is one of only two
jurisdictions in the country yet to establish the necessary legislation to
mandate compliance with the agreed national principles on child-safe standards?
(2) Given that the Auditor General found the
department had taken a fragmented approach and failed to develop an overarching
implementation plan, is the minister holding someone accountable for this
failure?
(3) Is the minister aware that although her media
statement of 24 October 2025 announced the Ombudsman as the independent
overseer for child-related work that in the absence of any enabling legislation
conferring the child-safe oversight functions, the Ombudsman cannot fulfil the
role that was announced?
(4) If no to (1), (2) or (3), why not?
Commission
1167. Hon Nick Goiran to
the minister representing the Minister for
Child Protection:
I refer to the
Auditor General's November report entitled WA's
Progress to Implement the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations in which the WA government's slow progress in implementing the royal commission's
recommendations is described as disappointing.
(1) Is the minister aware that nearly eight years
since the royal commission concluded, our state is one of only two
jurisdictions in the country yet to establish the necessary legislation to
mandate compliance with the agreed national principles on child-safe standards?
(2) Given that the Auditor General found the
department had taken a fragmented approach and failed to develop an overarching
implementation plan, is the minister holding someone accountable for this
failure?
(3) Is the minister aware that although her media
statement of 24 October 2025 announced the Ombudsman as the independent
overseer for child-related work that in the absence of any enabling legislation
conferring the child-safe oversight functions, the Ombudsman cannot fulfil the
role that was announced?
(4) If no to (1), (2) or (3), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I
thank the honourable member 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.
(1)–(4) The minister acknowledges the report
tabled by the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) about the implementation of
the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (National Principles). The
Department of Communities continues to work with government agencies and
sectors to support organisations to implement the National Principles through
various strategies, including funding to the Western Australian Council of
Social Service to deliver the Child Safe Project, seminars and resources on the
online knowledge hub. Following the announcement on 24 October 2025, the
Ombudsman is working with the Department of the Premier and Cabinet to develop
an implementation plan for an oversight scheme in WA, build organisational
capability, and monitor and enforce compliance with the National Principles for
Child Safe Organisations. This includes the development of any legislative
requirements.
thank the honourable member 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.
(1)–(4) The minister acknowledges the report
tabled by the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) about the implementation of
the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (National Principles). The
Department of Communities continues to work with government agencies and
sectors to support organisations to implement the National Principles through
various strategies, including funding to the Western Australian Council of
Social Service to deliver the Child Safe Project, seminars and resources on the
online knowledge hub. Following the announcement on 24 October 2025, the
Ombudsman is working with the Department of the Premier and Cabinet to develop
an implementation plan for an oversight scheme in WA, build organisational
capability, and monitor and enforce compliance with the National Principles for
Child Safe Organisations. This includes the development of any legislative
requirements.
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