❓ WA Parliament Question on Notice regarding the whereabouts of children in care. The Minister provides updated figures and assurances about investigations into potential victimisation.
AnsweredQoN 1196Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Children in care—Whereabouts unknown
1196. Hon Nick Goiran to
the minister representing the Minister for
Child Protection:
I refer to the minister's
answer on 12 November 2025 to my question without notice 1013.
(1) Have the three children recorded as
"unaccounted for, not in contact" been found?
(2) Are the whereabouts of the 10 children
recorded as an "unaccounted for, in contact" now known?
(3) For how many days were the whereabouts of the
13 children unknown?
(4) Will the minister ask someone in the
Department of Communities to check whether any of the 13 children were victims
of crime during the period their whereabouts were unknown?
(5) How many children who are in the care of the
CEO have their whereabouts currently recorded as:
(a) "unaccounted for, in contact";
(b) "unaccounted for, not in contact";
and
(c) "missing"?
1196. Hon Nick Goiran to
the minister representing the Minister for
Child Protection:
I refer to the minister's
answer on 12 November 2025 to my question without notice 1013.
(1) Have the three children recorded as
"unaccounted for, not in contact" been found?
(2) Are the whereabouts of the 10 children
recorded as an "unaccounted for, in contact" now known?
(3) For how many days were the whereabouts of the
13 children unknown?
(4) Will the minister ask someone in the
Department of Communities to check whether any of the 13 children were victims
of crime during the period their whereabouts were unknown?
(5) How many children who are in the care of the
CEO have their whereabouts currently recorded as:
(a) "unaccounted for, in contact";
(b) "unaccounted for, not in contact";
and
(c) "missing"?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the Leader
of the Opposition for some notice of the question. The following answer has
been provided on behalf of the Minister for Child Protection.
The Department of
Communities advises the following as at 2 December 2024—this was asked
yesterday so it is stated as at that date.
(1) The whereabouts of two of the young people are
now known. The whereabouts of one young person was known. However, the young
person is currently "unaccounted for, not in contact".
(2) The whereabouts of nine of the young people
are now known. The whereabouts of one young person was known. However, the
young person is currently "unaccounted for, in contact".
(3) The period that the 13 young people's
whereabouts were unknown ranges from one day to 27 days.
(4) All reported or disclosed allegations or
incidents relating to a child in care being a victim of crime are treated as a
priority and investigated accordingly. These matters are reported to the
Department of Communities senior leadership and the WA Police Force, as
appropriate.
(5) There are:
(a) eight;
(b) two; and
(c) one.
of the Opposition for some notice of the question. The following answer has
been provided on behalf of the Minister for Child Protection.
The Department of
Communities advises the following as at 2 December 2024—this was asked
yesterday so it is stated as at that date.
(1) The whereabouts of two of the young people are
now known. The whereabouts of one young person was known. However, the young
person is currently "unaccounted for, not in contact".
(2) The whereabouts of nine of the young people
are now known. The whereabouts of one young person was known. However, the
young person is currently "unaccounted for, in contact".
(3) The period that the 13 young people's
whereabouts were unknown ranges from one day to 27 days.
(4) All reported or disclosed allegations or
incidents relating to a child in care being a victim of crime are treated as a
priority and investigated accordingly. These matters are reported to the
Department of Communities senior leadership and the WA Police Force, as
appropriate.
(5) There are:
(a) eight;
(b) two; and
(c) one.
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