❓ Question regarding the source and location of gonorrhoea cases in Aboriginal children aged 10-14 in WA, and a controversial suggestion to close affected communities. The response acknowledges data limitations and highlights a planned reform program.
AnsweredQoN 325Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ABORIGINAL CHILDREN — GONORRHOEA
325. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the Leader of the
House representing the Premier:
I refer to the Premier's
statement on Thursday, 19 March that states —
In 2013, there were 39 cases of
gonorrhoea in Aboriginal children � aged from 10 to 14.
(1) Will the Premier please table
the report from which he derived these statistics?
(2) How many of
these children were from remote Aboriginal communities, how many were from towns
and cities, and in which region or regions of Western Australia are the
relevant communities, towns and cities located?
(3) Will the
Premier close all the communities and towns where the cases of gonorrhoea in
children aged 10 to 14 were discovered; and, if not, why not; and what measures
will be taken to protect children in the future?
The PRESIDENT : I think that has gone to the Leader of the
House; some parts of that question are certainly familiar and have been asked
before.
Hon PETER COLLIER : They are.
The PRESIDENT : Let us hear from the Leader of the House.
325. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the Leader of the
House representing the Premier:
I refer to the Premier's
statement on Thursday, 19 March that states —
In 2013, there were 39 cases of
gonorrhoea in Aboriginal children � aged from 10 to 14.
(1) Will the Premier please table
the report from which he derived these statistics?
(2) How many of
these children were from remote Aboriginal communities, how many were from towns
and cities, and in which region or regions of Western Australia are the
relevant communities, towns and cities located?
(3) Will the
Premier close all the communities and towns where the cases of gonorrhoea in
children aged 10 to 14 were discovered; and, if not, why not; and what measures
will be taken to protect children in the future?
The PRESIDENT : I think that has gone to the Leader of the
House; some parts of that question are certainly familiar and have been asked
before.
Hon PETER COLLIER : They are.
The PRESIDENT : Let us hear from the Leader of the House.
AnswerView source ↗
I have a very, very similar response
to the very similar questions asked yesterday.
(1)–(3) The
figure of 39 cases of gonorrhoea in 2013 for Aboriginal children aged from 10
to 14 compared with none for non-Aboriginal children is for the Kimberley
region. This data has been provided by the Department of Health. There is
difficulty in distinguishing cases residing in remote communities versus
townships in remote regions from the point of view of the sexually transmitted
infection notification data because people who live in small or remote
communities often have their addresses recorded as the nearest town—for
example, via Fitzroy Crossing, via Halls Creek et cetera—or a post
office box number based in the post office of the nearest township. Also, some
populations move frequently between towns and small communities, so a given
address on the case report form does not necessarily constitute the location
where they spend most of their time. The state government is about to begin a significant
reform program regarding remote communities that will focus on better outcomes
in health, education, safety and job opportunities for Aboriginal people.
to the very similar questions asked yesterday.
(1)–(3) The
figure of 39 cases of gonorrhoea in 2013 for Aboriginal children aged from 10
to 14 compared with none for non-Aboriginal children is for the Kimberley
region. This data has been provided by the Department of Health. There is
difficulty in distinguishing cases residing in remote communities versus
townships in remote regions from the point of view of the sexually transmitted
infection notification data because people who live in small or remote
communities often have their addresses recorded as the nearest town—for
example, via Fitzroy Crossing, via Halls Creek et cetera—or a post
office box number based in the post office of the nearest township. Also, some
populations move frequently between towns and small communities, so a given
address on the case report form does not necessarily constitute the location
where they spend most of their time. The state government is about to begin a significant
reform program regarding remote communities that will focus on better outcomes
in health, education, safety and job opportunities for Aboriginal people.
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