❓ Shadow Minister M. Beard questions the Minister for Child Protection regarding funding cuts to out-of-home care and their potential contribution to tragic outcomes at Banksia Hill. The Minister rejects the claims, highlighting significant investment and criticising the Shadow Minister's absence from child protection events.
AnsweredQoN 571Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
OUT-OF-HOME CARE
571. Ms M. BEARD to the Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to recent reports around the
tragic circumstances and situation at Banksia Hill Detention Centre and
comments made by Plan and Grow's CEO, Anita Peiris, coupled with the
decision by the Cook Labor government to cut funding for out-of-home care
arrangements, and the devastating impact this has seemingly had on extremely
vulnerable children. Does the government now accept that its penny-pinching
funding cuts to out-of-home care has contributed to recent tragic outcomes?
571. Ms M. BEARD to the Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to recent reports around the
tragic circumstances and situation at Banksia Hill Detention Centre and
comments made by Plan and Grow's CEO, Anita Peiris, coupled with the
decision by the Cook Labor government to cut funding for out-of-home care
arrangements, and the devastating impact this has seemingly had on extremely
vulnerable children. Does the government now accept that its penny-pinching
funding cuts to out-of-home care has contributed to recent tragic outcomes?
AnswerView source ↗
I will keep it brief, appreciating
the time, but I just begin by extending my condolences for the young person who
tragically committed suicide at Banksia Hill recently. That is a tragic set of
circumstances. My thoughts are with the family and all those who knew him. My
thoughts are also with those people who were in that young person's
life over an extended period, supporting him through his journey. It is a really
tough time for everyone, so it is quite baffling that the opposition wishes at
this moment in time to prosecute a case around our out-of-home care reforms. I will save that for another time, but I can
tell members that the out-of-home care reform, which was initiated under members opposite, has seen an extensive, significant
reform commissioning piece undertaken with our sector partners over a significant
time. Over $200 million is being invested in this budget alone in out-of-home
care reform. I reject out of hand any suggestion that this government is
somehow cost cutting when it comes to our vulnerable
children. There has not ever been any government in Western Australia that has
invested more in children and families in this state. The member's
suggestion is abhorrent to me as the minister, it is abhorrent to everyone in
this government and it is abhorrent to anyone who works in community sector
organisations and acknowledges the significant investment and priority we place
on children and young people in this state.
I am hoping that the member opposite
will not get a supplementary question, so I will make one remark to her again. Last week was National Child Protection
Week. She was nowhere to be seen. She is now politicising a tragedy rather than
actually working with the people who do the hard work every single day. She was
not at the achievement awards when we recognised vulnerable people who
are doing great things throughout the community.
Ms L. Mettam interjected.
Ms S.E. WINTON : You were not
there!
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : There are too
many interjections. Member for Cottesloe and Deputy Premier, neither of you
asked the question. Minister, you made a really positive undertaking at the
start of your answer that I am hoping you will fulfill.
Ms S.E. WINTON : I will
conclude by stating that the shadow Minister for Child Protection was also not
present last week when we celebrated the excellence of the child protection
workforce in this state. She was nowhere to be seen. But when there is a headline
and a camera, she will be there dribbling this stuff. She has spent the entire
question time huddling to try to get her question right.
the time, but I just begin by extending my condolences for the young person who
tragically committed suicide at Banksia Hill recently. That is a tragic set of
circumstances. My thoughts are with the family and all those who knew him. My
thoughts are also with those people who were in that young person's
life over an extended period, supporting him through his journey. It is a really
tough time for everyone, so it is quite baffling that the opposition wishes at
this moment in time to prosecute a case around our out-of-home care reforms. I will save that for another time, but I can
tell members that the out-of-home care reform, which was initiated under members opposite, has seen an extensive, significant
reform commissioning piece undertaken with our sector partners over a significant
time. Over $200 million is being invested in this budget alone in out-of-home
care reform. I reject out of hand any suggestion that this government is
somehow cost cutting when it comes to our vulnerable
children. There has not ever been any government in Western Australia that has
invested more in children and families in this state. The member's
suggestion is abhorrent to me as the minister, it is abhorrent to everyone in
this government and it is abhorrent to anyone who works in community sector
organisations and acknowledges the significant investment and priority we place
on children and young people in this state.
I am hoping that the member opposite
will not get a supplementary question, so I will make one remark to her again. Last week was National Child Protection
Week. She was nowhere to be seen. She is now politicising a tragedy rather than
actually working with the people who do the hard work every single day. She was
not at the achievement awards when we recognised vulnerable people who
are doing great things throughout the community.
Ms L. Mettam interjected.
Ms S.E. WINTON : You were not
there!
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : There are too
many interjections. Member for Cottesloe and Deputy Premier, neither of you
asked the question. Minister, you made a really positive undertaking at the
start of your answer that I am hoping you will fulfill.
Ms S.E. WINTON : I will
conclude by stating that the shadow Minister for Child Protection was also not
present last week when we celebrated the excellence of the child protection
workforce in this state. She was nowhere to be seen. But when there is a headline
and a camera, she will be there dribbling this stuff. She has spent the entire
question time huddling to try to get her question right.
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