A parliamentary question regarding an alleged child abuse investigation by the Department for Community Development, focusing on whether the department targeted the wrong people and if an inquiry was conducted. The Minister denies the initial allegations but confirms an inquiry, refusing to table the report due to privacy concerns.

AnsweredQoN 759Legislative Assembly
Asked
4 June 2003
Portfolio
Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth

QuestionView source ↗

(1) Is it correct that on or about 22 May the Department for Community Development demanded the attendance at a Perth hospital of Naomi Isaacs and her son for her son to be examined for alleged child abuse? Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. WOOLLARD: To continue - (2) Is it correct that after subjecting this mother and child to this harrowing experience, it is now acknowledged that the department got the wrong people? (3) Has the minister ordered an inquiry into this appalling blunder; and, if so, will she table a full copy of the report? Ms S.M. McHALE

AnswerView source ↗

(1) No. (2) No. (3) If the member were to read the Sunday Times , which I am sure she does, she would see that I ordered an inquiry into the event. I have received the report. The report contains personal information about individuals and I am not prepared to table it. However, I can assure the House that my department did everything it could to respond to allegations.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. WOOLLARD: To continue - (2) Is it correct that after subjecting this mother and child to this harrowing experience, it is now acknowledged that the department got the wrong people? (3) Has the minister ordered an inquiry into this appalling blunder; and, if so, will she table a full copy of the report? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1) No. (2) No. (3) If the member were to read the Sunday Times , which I am sure she does, she would see that I ordered an inquiry into the event. I have received the report. The report contains personal information about individuals and I am not prepared to table it. However, I can assure the House that my department did everything it could to respond to allegations.
The SPEAKER: Members! Dr J.M. WOOLLARD: To continue - (2) Is it correct that after subjecting this mother and child to this harrowing experience, it is now acknowledged that the department got the wrong people? (3) Has the minister ordered an inquiry into this appalling blunder; and, if so, will she table a full copy of the report? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1) No. (2) No. (3) If the member were to read the Sunday Times , which I am sure she does, she would see that I ordered an inquiry into the event. I have received the report. The report contains personal information about individuals and I am not prepared to table it. However, I can assure the House that my department did everything it could to respond to allegations.
Dr J.M. WOOLLARD: To continue - (2) Is it correct that after subjecting this mother and child to this harrowing experience, it is now acknowledged that the department got the wrong people? (3) Has the minister ordered an inquiry into this appalling blunder; and, if so, will she table a full copy of the report? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1) No. (2) No. (3) If the member were to read the Sunday Times , which I am sure she does, she would see that I ordered an inquiry into the event. I have received the report. The report contains personal information about individuals and I am not prepared to table it. However, I can assure the House that my department did everything it could to respond to allegations.
(2) Is it correct that after subjecting this mother and child to this harrowing experience, it is now acknowledged that the department got the wrong people? (3) Has the minister ordered an inquiry into this appalling blunder; and, if so, will she table a full copy of the report? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1) No. (2) No. (3) If the member were to read the Sunday Times , which I am sure she does, she would see that I ordered an inquiry into the event. I have received the report. The report contains personal information about individuals and I am not prepared to table it. However, I can assure the House that my department did everything it could to respond to allegations.
(3) Has the minister ordered an inquiry into this appalling blunder; and, if so, will she table a full copy of the report? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1) No. (2) No. (3) If the member were to read the Sunday Times , which I am sure she does, she would see that I ordered an inquiry into the event. I have received the report. The report contains personal information about individuals and I am not prepared to table it. However, I can assure the House that my department did everything it could to respond to allegations.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1) No. (2) No. (3) If the member were to read the Sunday Times , which I am sure she does, she would see that I ordered an inquiry into the event. I have received the report. The report contains personal information about individuals and I am not prepared to table it. However, I can assure the House that my department did everything it could to respond to allegations.
(1) No. (2) No. (3) If the member were to read the Sunday Times , which I am sure she does, she would see that I ordered an inquiry into the event. I have received the report. The report contains personal information about individuals and I am not prepared to table it. However, I can assure the House that my department did everything it could to respond to allegations.
(2) No. (3) If the member were to read the Sunday Times , which I am sure she does, she would see that I ordered an inquiry into the event. I have received the report. The report contains personal information about individuals and I am not prepared to table it. However, I can assure the House that my department did everything it could to respond to allegations.
(3) If the member were to read the Sunday Times , which I am sure she does, she would see that I ordered an inquiry into the event. I have received the report. The report contains personal information about individuals and I am not prepared to table it. However, I can assure the House that my department did everything it could to respond to allegations.

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