❓ A parliamentary question regarding the Balga Works program, specifically addressing complaints related to governance, safety, and potential abuse of young people involved. The response indicates unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse, reports of drugs and stolen property, and financial mismanagement.
AnsweredQoN 1169Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
BALGA WORKS PROGRAM
Some notice has been given of this question. I refer to question 1154, which was asked by Hon Bruce Donaldson yesterday and which dealt with complaints made to the Department for Community Development about the Balga Works program, and the answer to part (3). (1) Why was this range of complaints relating to the governance of the organisation and the behaviour and safety of the young people not held centrally? (2) Is the minister aware that every complaint that is phoned in to DCD or lodged in person is recorded on an intake form and then placed into the computer with the name of the person and the complaint lodged, and that this information can then be accessed by any DCD field worker in the state? (3) Were any of these children sexually abused or abused in any way? (4) If yes, how many children were abused, what were their ages and what type of abuse occurred? (5) What were the complaints lodged about the safety of the young people? (6) What was the nature of the complaints to do with governance issues? Hon KATE DOUST
Some notice has been given of this question. I refer to question 1154, which was asked by Hon Bruce Donaldson yesterday and which dealt with complaints made to the Department for Community Development about the Balga Works program, and the answer to part (3). (1) Why was this range of complaints relating to the governance of the organisation and the behaviour and safety of the young people not held centrally? (2) Is the minister aware that every complaint that is phoned in to DCD or lodged in person is recorded on an intake form and then placed into the computer with the name of the person and the complaint lodged, and that this information can then be accessed by any DCD field worker in the state? (3) Were any of these children sexually abused or abused in any way? (4) If yes, how many children were abused, what were their ages and what type of abuse occurred? (5) What were the complaints lodged about the safety of the young people? (6) What was the nature of the complaints to do with governance issues? Hon KATE DOUST
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Information on the department’s central database is entered against records of individual children, not against agencies. (2) The minister is aware that every complaint that relates to the wellbeing of a child is recorded in a way similar to the manner described by the honourable member. (3) No, there was no evidence that any of the young people were abused. (4) Not applicable. (5) There were two unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse of two young women, two reports from departmental staff who had received information regarding drugs and stolen property on the premises, and complaints about the level of supervision provided by the program. (6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
(1) Why was this range of complaints relating to the governance of the organisation and the behaviour and safety of the young people not held centrally? (2) Is the minister aware that every complaint that is phoned in to DCD or lodged in person is recorded on an intake form and then placed into the computer with the name of the person and the complaint lodged, and that this information can then be accessed by any DCD field worker in the state? (3) Were any of these children sexually abused or abused in any way? (4) If yes, how many children were abused, what were their ages and what type of abuse occurred? (5) What were the complaints lodged about the safety of the young people? (6) What was the nature of the complaints to do with governance issues? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Information on the department’s central database is entered against records of individual children, not against agencies. (2) The minister is aware that every complaint that relates to the wellbeing of a child is recorded in a way similar to the manner described by the honourable member. (3) No, there was no evidence that any of the young people were abused. (4) Not applicable. (5) There were two unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse of two young women, two reports from departmental staff who had received information regarding drugs and stolen property on the premises, and complaints about the level of supervision provided by the program. (6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
(2) Is the minister aware that every complaint that is phoned in to DCD or lodged in person is recorded on an intake form and then placed into the computer with the name of the person and the complaint lodged, and that this information can then be accessed by any DCD field worker in the state? (3) Were any of these children sexually abused or abused in any way? (4) If yes, how many children were abused, what were their ages and what type of abuse occurred? (5) What were the complaints lodged about the safety of the young people? (6) What was the nature of the complaints to do with governance issues? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Information on the department’s central database is entered against records of individual children, not against agencies. (2) The minister is aware that every complaint that relates to the wellbeing of a child is recorded in a way similar to the manner described by the honourable member. (3) No, there was no evidence that any of the young people were abused. (4) Not applicable. (5) There were two unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse of two young women, two reports from departmental staff who had received information regarding drugs and stolen property on the premises, and complaints about the level of supervision provided by the program. (6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
(3) Were any of these children sexually abused or abused in any way? (4) If yes, how many children were abused, what were their ages and what type of abuse occurred? (5) What were the complaints lodged about the safety of the young people? (6) What was the nature of the complaints to do with governance issues? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Information on the department’s central database is entered against records of individual children, not against agencies. (2) The minister is aware that every complaint that relates to the wellbeing of a child is recorded in a way similar to the manner described by the honourable member. (3) No, there was no evidence that any of the young people were abused. (4) Not applicable. (5) There were two unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse of two young women, two reports from departmental staff who had received information regarding drugs and stolen property on the premises, and complaints about the level of supervision provided by the program. (6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
(4) If yes, how many children were abused, what were their ages and what type of abuse occurred? (5) What were the complaints lodged about the safety of the young people? (6) What was the nature of the complaints to do with governance issues? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Information on the department’s central database is entered against records of individual children, not against agencies. (2) The minister is aware that every complaint that relates to the wellbeing of a child is recorded in a way similar to the manner described by the honourable member. (3) No, there was no evidence that any of the young people were abused. (4) Not applicable. (5) There were two unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse of two young women, two reports from departmental staff who had received information regarding drugs and stolen property on the premises, and complaints about the level of supervision provided by the program. (6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
(5) What were the complaints lodged about the safety of the young people? (6) What was the nature of the complaints to do with governance issues? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Information on the department’s central database is entered against records of individual children, not against agencies. (2) The minister is aware that every complaint that relates to the wellbeing of a child is recorded in a way similar to the manner described by the honourable member. (3) No, there was no evidence that any of the young people were abused. (4) Not applicable. (5) There were two unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse of two young women, two reports from departmental staff who had received information regarding drugs and stolen property on the premises, and complaints about the level of supervision provided by the program. (6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
(6) What was the nature of the complaints to do with governance issues? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Information on the department’s central database is entered against records of individual children, not against agencies. (2) The minister is aware that every complaint that relates to the wellbeing of a child is recorded in a way similar to the manner described by the honourable member. (3) No, there was no evidence that any of the young people were abused. (4) Not applicable. (5) There were two unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse of two young women, two reports from departmental staff who had received information regarding drugs and stolen property on the premises, and complaints about the level of supervision provided by the program. (6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Information on the department’s central database is entered against records of individual children, not against agencies. (2) The minister is aware that every complaint that relates to the wellbeing of a child is recorded in a way similar to the manner described by the honourable member. (3) No, there was no evidence that any of the young people were abused. (4) Not applicable. (5) There were two unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse of two young women, two reports from departmental staff who had received information regarding drugs and stolen property on the premises, and complaints about the level of supervision provided by the program. (6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Information on the department’s central database is entered against records of individual children, not against agencies. (2) The minister is aware that every complaint that relates to the wellbeing of a child is recorded in a way similar to the manner described by the honourable member. (3) No, there was no evidence that any of the young people were abused. (4) Not applicable. (5) There were two unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse of two young women, two reports from departmental staff who had received information regarding drugs and stolen property on the premises, and complaints about the level of supervision provided by the program. (6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
(1) Information on the department’s central database is entered against records of individual children, not against agencies. (2) The minister is aware that every complaint that relates to the wellbeing of a child is recorded in a way similar to the manner described by the honourable member. (3) No, there was no evidence that any of the young people were abused. (4) Not applicable. (5) There were two unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse of two young women, two reports from departmental staff who had received information regarding drugs and stolen property on the premises, and complaints about the level of supervision provided by the program. (6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
(2) The minister is aware that every complaint that relates to the wellbeing of a child is recorded in a way similar to the manner described by the honourable member. (3) No, there was no evidence that any of the young people were abused. (4) Not applicable. (5) There were two unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse of two young women, two reports from departmental staff who had received information regarding drugs and stolen property on the premises, and complaints about the level of supervision provided by the program. (6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
(3) No, there was no evidence that any of the young people were abused. (4) Not applicable. (5) There were two unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse of two young women, two reports from departmental staff who had received information regarding drugs and stolen property on the premises, and complaints about the level of supervision provided by the program. (6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
(4) Not applicable. (5) There were two unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse of two young women, two reports from departmental staff who had received information regarding drugs and stolen property on the premises, and complaints about the level of supervision provided by the program. (6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
(5) There were two unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse of two young women, two reports from departmental staff who had received information regarding drugs and stolen property on the premises, and complaints about the level of supervision provided by the program. (6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
(6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
(1) Why was this range of complaints relating to the governance of the organisation and the behaviour and safety of the young people not held centrally? (2) Is the minister aware that every complaint that is phoned in to DCD or lodged in person is recorded on an intake form and then placed into the computer with the name of the person and the complaint lodged, and that this information can then be accessed by any DCD field worker in the state? (3) Were any of these children sexually abused or abused in any way? (4) If yes, how many children were abused, what were their ages and what type of abuse occurred? (5) What were the complaints lodged about the safety of the young people? (6) What was the nature of the complaints to do with governance issues? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Information on the department’s central database is entered against records of individual children, not against agencies. (2) The minister is aware that every complaint that relates to the wellbeing of a child is recorded in a way similar to the manner described by the honourable member. (3) No, there was no evidence that any of the young people were abused. (4) Not applicable. (5) There were two unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse of two young women, two reports from departmental staff who had received information regarding drugs and stolen property on the premises, and complaints about the level of supervision provided by the program. (6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
(2) Is the minister aware that every complaint that is phoned in to DCD or lodged in person is recorded on an intake form and then placed into the computer with the name of the person and the complaint lodged, and that this information can then be accessed by any DCD field worker in the state? (3) Were any of these children sexually abused or abused in any way? (4) If yes, how many children were abused, what were their ages and what type of abuse occurred? (5) What were the complaints lodged about the safety of the young people? (6) What was the nature of the complaints to do with governance issues? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Information on the department’s central database is entered against records of individual children, not against agencies. (2) The minister is aware that every complaint that relates to the wellbeing of a child is recorded in a way similar to the manner described by the honourable member. (3) No, there was no evidence that any of the young people were abused. (4) Not applicable. (5) There were two unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse of two young women, two reports from departmental staff who had received information regarding drugs and stolen property on the premises, and complaints about the level of supervision provided by the program. (6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
(3) Were any of these children sexually abused or abused in any way? (4) If yes, how many children were abused, what were their ages and what type of abuse occurred? (5) What were the complaints lodged about the safety of the young people? (6) What was the nature of the complaints to do with governance issues? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Information on the department’s central database is entered against records of individual children, not against agencies. (2) The minister is aware that every complaint that relates to the wellbeing of a child is recorded in a way similar to the manner described by the honourable member. (3) No, there was no evidence that any of the young people were abused. (4) Not applicable. (5) There were two unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse of two young women, two reports from departmental staff who had received information regarding drugs and stolen property on the premises, and complaints about the level of supervision provided by the program. (6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
(4) If yes, how many children were abused, what were their ages and what type of abuse occurred? (5) What were the complaints lodged about the safety of the young people? (6) What was the nature of the complaints to do with governance issues? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Information on the department’s central database is entered against records of individual children, not against agencies. (2) The minister is aware that every complaint that relates to the wellbeing of a child is recorded in a way similar to the manner described by the honourable member. (3) No, there was no evidence that any of the young people were abused. (4) Not applicable. (5) There were two unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse of two young women, two reports from departmental staff who had received information regarding drugs and stolen property on the premises, and complaints about the level of supervision provided by the program. (6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
(5) What were the complaints lodged about the safety of the young people? (6) What was the nature of the complaints to do with governance issues? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Information on the department’s central database is entered against records of individual children, not against agencies. (2) The minister is aware that every complaint that relates to the wellbeing of a child is recorded in a way similar to the manner described by the honourable member. (3) No, there was no evidence that any of the young people were abused. (4) Not applicable. (5) There were two unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse of two young women, two reports from departmental staff who had received information regarding drugs and stolen property on the premises, and complaints about the level of supervision provided by the program. (6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
(6) What was the nature of the complaints to do with governance issues? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Information on the department’s central database is entered against records of individual children, not against agencies. (2) The minister is aware that every complaint that relates to the wellbeing of a child is recorded in a way similar to the manner described by the honourable member. (3) No, there was no evidence that any of the young people were abused. (4) Not applicable. (5) There were two unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse of two young women, two reports from departmental staff who had received information regarding drugs and stolen property on the premises, and complaints about the level of supervision provided by the program. (6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Information on the department’s central database is entered against records of individual children, not against agencies. (2) The minister is aware that every complaint that relates to the wellbeing of a child is recorded in a way similar to the manner described by the honourable member. (3) No, there was no evidence that any of the young people were abused. (4) Not applicable. (5) There were two unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse of two young women, two reports from departmental staff who had received information regarding drugs and stolen property on the premises, and complaints about the level of supervision provided by the program. (6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Community Development has provided the following response - (1) Information on the department’s central database is entered against records of individual children, not against agencies. (2) The minister is aware that every complaint that relates to the wellbeing of a child is recorded in a way similar to the manner described by the honourable member. (3) No, there was no evidence that any of the young people were abused. (4) Not applicable. (5) There were two unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse of two young women, two reports from departmental staff who had received information regarding drugs and stolen property on the premises, and complaints about the level of supervision provided by the program. (6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
(1) Information on the department’s central database is entered against records of individual children, not against agencies. (2) The minister is aware that every complaint that relates to the wellbeing of a child is recorded in a way similar to the manner described by the honourable member. (3) No, there was no evidence that any of the young people were abused. (4) Not applicable. (5) There were two unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse of two young women, two reports from departmental staff who had received information regarding drugs and stolen property on the premises, and complaints about the level of supervision provided by the program. (6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
(2) The minister is aware that every complaint that relates to the wellbeing of a child is recorded in a way similar to the manner described by the honourable member. (3) No, there was no evidence that any of the young people were abused. (4) Not applicable. (5) There were two unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse of two young women, two reports from departmental staff who had received information regarding drugs and stolen property on the premises, and complaints about the level of supervision provided by the program. (6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
(3) No, there was no evidence that any of the young people were abused. (4) Not applicable. (5) There were two unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse of two young women, two reports from departmental staff who had received information regarding drugs and stolen property on the premises, and complaints about the level of supervision provided by the program. (6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
(4) Not applicable. (5) There were two unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse of two young women, two reports from departmental staff who had received information regarding drugs and stolen property on the premises, and complaints about the level of supervision provided by the program. (6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
(5) There were two unsubstantiated allegations of sexual abuse of two young women, two reports from departmental staff who had received information regarding drugs and stolen property on the premises, and complaints about the level of supervision provided by the program. (6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
(6) The governance issues related to financial management of the program, particularly the non-payment of wages to workers in the program.
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