❓ Question regarding the detention of 197 children in Kimberley police station cells over three years, seeking information on departmental assistance, bail hostel progress, and the number of children in CEO care. The Minister's response deflects some questions to other portfolios and provides limited information.
AnsweredQoN 333Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CHILDREN —
REMAND ARRANGEMENTS — KIMBERLEY
333. Hon
SUE ELLERY to the Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to the 197 children locked in police station cells in
the Kimberley over the past three years.
(1) Did the Department
of Child Protection and Family Support actively seek to assist the courts and
police to find alternative remand arrangements to adult police cells in every
one of those cases; and, if not, why not?
(2) What
action has been taken to build a bail hostel in Kununurra as promised in 2009
by the former minister and the former Attorney General?
(3) How many
of the children in question were in the care of the CEO?
REMAND ARRANGEMENTS — KIMBERLEY
333. Hon
SUE ELLERY to the Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to the 197 children locked in police station cells in
the Kimberley over the past three years.
(1) Did the Department
of Child Protection and Family Support actively seek to assist the courts and
police to find alternative remand arrangements to adult police cells in every
one of those cases; and, if not, why not?
(2) What
action has been taken to build a bail hostel in Kununurra as promised in 2009
by the former minister and the former Attorney General?
(3) How many
of the children in question were in the care of the CEO?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of this question.
(1) The Department
for Child Protection and Family Support is unable to verify the figure of 197
children. Any specific questions in relation to the number of children held in
police custody would be more appropriately referred to the Minister for Police.
With regard to the reference to ''every one of those cases'',
this information is contained on individual case files and cannot be provided.
However, I am able to advise that the department, when already involved with a
child or when requested, works with Western Australia Police and the court to
find a responsible adult when bail is being considered.
(2) This
question should be referred to the Minister for Corrective Services.
(3) Between 1 January
2012 and 31 December 2014, the department has a record for one child in care
detained in a police station cell in the Kimberley.
of this question.
(1) The Department
for Child Protection and Family Support is unable to verify the figure of 197
children. Any specific questions in relation to the number of children held in
police custody would be more appropriately referred to the Minister for Police.
With regard to the reference to ''every one of those cases'',
this information is contained on individual case files and cannot be provided.
However, I am able to advise that the department, when already involved with a
child or when requested, works with Western Australia Police and the court to
find a responsible adult when bail is being considered.
(2) This
question should be referred to the Minister for Corrective Services.
(3) Between 1 January
2012 and 31 December 2014, the department has a record for one child in care
detained in a police station cell in the Kimberley.
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