❓ Hon Stephen Dawson questions the Minister for Child Protection regarding the Department's awareness and actions related to David Farnell and a child in his care following a surrogacy arrangement. The Minister provides dates of key events, including initial awareness, reporting, contact, and ministerial briefings.
AnsweredQoN 1034Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT
FOR CHILD PROTECTION AND FAMILY SUPPORT — DAVID FARNELL
1034. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the
Minister for Child Protection:
(1) On what
date did the Department for Child Protection and Family Support first become
aware that there was a baby in the care of David Farnell?
(2) How was the Farnell family surrogacy arrangement reported
to the department?
(3) On what date did the department first make contact with
the Farnell family?
(4) On what
date did the office of the Minister for Child Protection first become aware of
the Farnell family's surrogacy arrangement?
(5) On what
date did the Minister for Child Protection first become aware of the baby
Farnell family's surrogacy arrangement?
FOR CHILD PROTECTION AND FAMILY SUPPORT — DAVID FARNELL
1034. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the
Minister for Child Protection:
(1) On what
date did the Department for Child Protection and Family Support first become
aware that there was a baby in the care of David Farnell?
(2) How was the Farnell family surrogacy arrangement reported
to the department?
(3) On what date did the department first make contact with
the Farnell family?
(4) On what
date did the office of the Minister for Child Protection first become aware of
the Farnell family's surrogacy arrangement?
(5) On what
date did the Minister for Child Protection first become aware of the baby
Farnell family's surrogacy arrangement?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of the question.
(1) On 15 May
2014 information was provided to the Department for Child Protection and Family
Support that a Mr Farnell had been previously convicted of child sexual abuse
offences and had a child in his care through an unknown arrangement. However,
at that time Mr Farnell's address and circumstances were unknown.
(2) On 4
August 2014, The West Australian reported that a Western Australian couple had abandoned a baby boy in Thailand
because he was born with Down syndrome and that the baby boy's twin
sister was living in Western Australia. David John Farnell was identified as
the suspected father, with the assistance of WA Police.
(3) After
ascertaining Mr Farnell's whereabouts, attempts to contact the Farnell
family commenced immediately via home visits on 4 August 2014. On 6 August 2014
telephone contact occurred between Mr Farnell, other family members and the
department.
(4) The office of the Minister for Child Protection first
became aware on 4 August 2014.
(5) The Minister for Child Protection first became aware on 4
August 2014.
(1) On 15 May
2014 information was provided to the Department for Child Protection and Family
Support that a Mr Farnell had been previously convicted of child sexual abuse
offences and had a child in his care through an unknown arrangement. However,
at that time Mr Farnell's address and circumstances were unknown.
(2) On 4
August 2014, The West Australian reported that a Western Australian couple had abandoned a baby boy in Thailand
because he was born with Down syndrome and that the baby boy's twin
sister was living in Western Australia. David John Farnell was identified as
the suspected father, with the assistance of WA Police.
(3) After
ascertaining Mr Farnell's whereabouts, attempts to contact the Farnell
family commenced immediately via home visits on 4 August 2014. On 6 August 2014
telephone contact occurred between Mr Farnell, other family members and the
department.
(4) The office of the Minister for Child Protection first
became aware on 4 August 2014.
(5) The Minister for Child Protection first became aware on 4
August 2014.
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