❓ Hon Sue Ellery raises concerns about vulnerable children in Carnarvon due to alcohol abuse and domestic violence. Hon Robyn McSweeney acknowledges the issue and proposes reinstating a holiday program, while noting it won't be ready for the immediate upcoming holidays.
AnsweredQoN 27Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CHILDREN IN CARNARVON
I recently visited Carnarvon, and I spoke with community members about the number of children, particularly young children, on the streets at night escaping homes in which alcohol abuse and domestic violence puts them at risk. I am aware that the minister also visited Carnarvon, as well as a number of other ministers, who I am told all received the same sort of information that I did. When will the government put in place a comprehensive plan, matched with the resources the community needs, to ensure that children in Carnarvon are safer? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY
I recently visited Carnarvon, and I spoke with community members about the number of children, particularly young children, on the streets at night escaping homes in which alcohol abuse and domestic violence puts them at risk. I am aware that the minister also visited Carnarvon, as well as a number of other ministers, who I am told all received the same sort of information that I did. When will the government put in place a comprehensive plan, matched with the resources the community needs, to ensure that children in Carnarvon are safer? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for her question. Yes, I did go to Carnarvon, and I did have extensive interviews with many people in the town. There used to be a holiday program. That program was run during the member’s time in government, but somehow that program was cut. I am looking at putting in place a comprehensive holiday program. Unfortunately I do not think it will be in place for this coming school holiday period, but I certainly will be looking at it for the next school holidays, and in the long term. Hon Kate Doust : It is not just during the school holidays. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, it is not, but when the school holidays are on, that is when the crime and antisocial behaviour increases. So if we have somewhere for the kids to go during the daytime, it will be a lot better. When those programs were run a few years ago, it was very good for the children in the town. So, yes, there are issues there, but I am looking at it in a comprehensive manner.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for her question. Yes, I did go to Carnarvon, and I did have extensive interviews with many people in the town. There used to be a holiday program. That program was run during the member’s time in government, but somehow that program was cut. I am looking at putting in place a comprehensive holiday program. Unfortunately I do not think it will be in place for this coming school holiday period, but I certainly will be looking at it for the next school holidays, and in the long term. Hon Kate Doust : It is not just during the school holidays. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, it is not, but when the school holidays are on, that is when the crime and antisocial behaviour increases. So if we have somewhere for the kids to go during the daytime, it will be a lot better. When those programs were run a few years ago, it was very good for the children in the town. So, yes, there are issues there, but I am looking at it in a comprehensive manner.
I thank the member for her question. Yes, I did go to Carnarvon, and I did have extensive interviews with many people in the town. There used to be a holiday program. That program was run during the member’s time in government, but somehow that program was cut. I am looking at putting in place a comprehensive holiday program. Unfortunately I do not think it will be in place for this coming school holiday period, but I certainly will be looking at it for the next school holidays, and in the long term. Hon Kate Doust : It is not just during the school holidays. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, it is not, but when the school holidays are on, that is when the crime and antisocial behaviour increases. So if we have somewhere for the kids to go during the daytime, it will be a lot better. When those programs were run a few years ago, it was very good for the children in the town. So, yes, there are issues there, but I am looking at it in a comprehensive manner.
Hon Kate Doust : It is not just during the school holidays. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, it is not, but when the school holidays are on, that is when the crime and antisocial behaviour increases. So if we have somewhere for the kids to go during the daytime, it will be a lot better. When those programs were run a few years ago, it was very good for the children in the town. So, yes, there are issues there, but I am looking at it in a comprehensive manner.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, it is not, but when the school holidays are on, that is when the crime and antisocial behaviour increases. So if we have somewhere for the kids to go during the daytime, it will be a lot better. When those programs were run a few years ago, it was very good for the children in the town. So, yes, there are issues there, but I am looking at it in a comprehensive manner.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for her question. Yes, I did go to Carnarvon, and I did have extensive interviews with many people in the town. There used to be a holiday program. That program was run during the member’s time in government, but somehow that program was cut. I am looking at putting in place a comprehensive holiday program. Unfortunately I do not think it will be in place for this coming school holiday period, but I certainly will be looking at it for the next school holidays, and in the long term. Hon Kate Doust : It is not just during the school holidays. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, it is not, but when the school holidays are on, that is when the crime and antisocial behaviour increases. So if we have somewhere for the kids to go during the daytime, it will be a lot better. When those programs were run a few years ago, it was very good for the children in the town. So, yes, there are issues there, but I am looking at it in a comprehensive manner.
I thank the member for her question. Yes, I did go to Carnarvon, and I did have extensive interviews with many people in the town. There used to be a holiday program. That program was run during the member’s time in government, but somehow that program was cut. I am looking at putting in place a comprehensive holiday program. Unfortunately I do not think it will be in place for this coming school holiday period, but I certainly will be looking at it for the next school holidays, and in the long term. Hon Kate Doust : It is not just during the school holidays. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, it is not, but when the school holidays are on, that is when the crime and antisocial behaviour increases. So if we have somewhere for the kids to go during the daytime, it will be a lot better. When those programs were run a few years ago, it was very good for the children in the town. So, yes, there are issues there, but I am looking at it in a comprehensive manner.
Hon Kate Doust : It is not just during the school holidays. Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, it is not, but when the school holidays are on, that is when the crime and antisocial behaviour increases. So if we have somewhere for the kids to go during the daytime, it will be a lot better. When those programs were run a few years ago, it was very good for the children in the town. So, yes, there are issues there, but I am looking at it in a comprehensive manner.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : No, it is not, but when the school holidays are on, that is when the crime and antisocial behaviour increases. So if we have somewhere for the kids to go during the daytime, it will be a lot better. When those programs were run a few years ago, it was very good for the children in the town. So, yes, there are issues there, but I am looking at it in a comprehensive manner.
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