❓ Dr. Hames questions the Minister for Community Development about reconsidering mandatory reporting of child abuse, referencing a call from the member for Kimberley. The Minister defends the government's position, highlighting existing protocols and expert opinions.
AnsweredQoN 406Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MANDATORY REPORTING - SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE
Before asking my question, I welcome to the public gallery student councillors from the Halls Head Primary School in my electorate, whose company I enjoyed for lunch today. I refer the minister to reports in today’s The West Australian that the member for Kimberley has called for mandatory reporting of all cases of suspected child abuse. Will the minister now reconsider the government’s opposition to mandatory reporting of child abuse. Mr J.A. McGinty : We already have mandatory reporting. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN
Before asking my question, I welcome to the public gallery student councillors from the Halls Head Primary School in my electorate, whose company I enjoyed for lunch today. I refer the minister to reports in today’s The West Australian that the member for Kimberley has called for mandatory reporting of all cases of suspected child abuse. Will the minister now reconsider the government’s opposition to mandatory reporting of child abuse. Mr J.A. McGinty : We already have mandatory reporting. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN
AnswerView source ↗
I also welcome the students from the Halls Head Primary School. The Attorney General is correct. Very strong protocols are already in place for the mandatory reporting of sexual abuse with regard to health issues, and they have been in place for some time. Since I became minister, I have been consulting with a whole range of experts and people who have views on this matter. As the member for Dawesville will be aware, there are a number of views. A number of people have raised this issue since I became minister, including Professor David Thorpe, who visited Western Australia recently from the United Kingdom; Professor Fiona Stanley, whom we all know; Justice Hal Jackson, chairman of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Child Protection; Gwen Murray, who highlighted the issue of mandatory reporting in her report; and Professor Tony Morrison, another expert in the field. It needs to be understood that mandatory reporting does not stop child abuse. That is a simple fact. As I continue to negotiate and discuss this important issue, I have encountered no firm evidence to change my mind or that of the government. The government will make sure that through the protocols already in place and the very stringent requirements of the Children and Community Services Act 2004, it will continue to provide the children and families of Western Australia with the greatest possible protection. That is underpinned by the commitment by this government in the recent budget to provide the Department for Community Development with the largest injection of funds in its history - $140 million. This government is committed to children and families in Western Australia, and will continue to deliver quality services to them and ensure that the interests of children are central.
I refer the minister to reports in today’s The West Australian that the member for Kimberley has called for mandatory reporting of all cases of suspected child abuse. Will the minister now reconsider the government’s opposition to mandatory reporting of child abuse. Mr J.A. McGinty : We already have mandatory reporting. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN replied: I also welcome the students from the Halls Head Primary School. The Attorney General is correct. Very strong protocols are already in place for the mandatory reporting of sexual abuse with regard to health issues, and they have been in place for some time. Since I became minister, I have been consulting with a whole range of experts and people who have views on this matter. As the member for Dawesville will be aware, there are a number of views. A number of people have raised this issue since I became minister, including Professor David Thorpe, who visited Western Australia recently from the United Kingdom; Professor Fiona Stanley, whom we all know; Justice Hal Jackson, chairman of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Child Protection; Gwen Murray, who highlighted the issue of mandatory reporting in her report; and Professor Tony Morrison, another expert in the field. It needs to be understood that mandatory reporting does not stop child abuse. That is a simple fact. As I continue to negotiate and discuss this important issue, I have encountered no firm evidence to change my mind or that of the government. The government will make sure that through the protocols already in place and the very stringent requirements of the Children and Community Services Act 2004, it will continue to provide the children and families of Western Australia with the greatest possible protection. That is underpinned by the commitment by this government in the recent budget to provide the Department for Community Development with the largest injection of funds in its history - $140 million. This government is committed to children and families in Western Australia, and will continue to deliver quality services to them and ensure that the interests of children are central.
Mr J.A. McGinty : We already have mandatory reporting. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN replied: I also welcome the students from the Halls Head Primary School. The Attorney General is correct. Very strong protocols are already in place for the mandatory reporting of sexual abuse with regard to health issues, and they have been in place for some time. Since I became minister, I have been consulting with a whole range of experts and people who have views on this matter. As the member for Dawesville will be aware, there are a number of views. A number of people have raised this issue since I became minister, including Professor David Thorpe, who visited Western Australia recently from the United Kingdom; Professor Fiona Stanley, whom we all know; Justice Hal Jackson, chairman of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Child Protection; Gwen Murray, who highlighted the issue of mandatory reporting in her report; and Professor Tony Morrison, another expert in the field. It needs to be understood that mandatory reporting does not stop child abuse. That is a simple fact. As I continue to negotiate and discuss this important issue, I have encountered no firm evidence to change my mind or that of the government. The government will make sure that through the protocols already in place and the very stringent requirements of the Children and Community Services Act 2004, it will continue to provide the children and families of Western Australia with the greatest possible protection. That is underpinned by the commitment by this government in the recent budget to provide the Department for Community Development with the largest injection of funds in its history - $140 million. This government is committed to children and families in Western Australia, and will continue to deliver quality services to them and ensure that the interests of children are central.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN replied: I also welcome the students from the Halls Head Primary School. The Attorney General is correct. Very strong protocols are already in place for the mandatory reporting of sexual abuse with regard to health issues, and they have been in place for some time. Since I became minister, I have been consulting with a whole range of experts and people who have views on this matter. As the member for Dawesville will be aware, there are a number of views. A number of people have raised this issue since I became minister, including Professor David Thorpe, who visited Western Australia recently from the United Kingdom; Professor Fiona Stanley, whom we all know; Justice Hal Jackson, chairman of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Child Protection; Gwen Murray, who highlighted the issue of mandatory reporting in her report; and Professor Tony Morrison, another expert in the field. It needs to be understood that mandatory reporting does not stop child abuse. That is a simple fact. As I continue to negotiate and discuss this important issue, I have encountered no firm evidence to change my mind or that of the government. The government will make sure that through the protocols already in place and the very stringent requirements of the Children and Community Services Act 2004, it will continue to provide the children and families of Western Australia with the greatest possible protection. That is underpinned by the commitment by this government in the recent budget to provide the Department for Community Development with the largest injection of funds in its history - $140 million. This government is committed to children and families in Western Australia, and will continue to deliver quality services to them and ensure that the interests of children are central.
I also welcome the students from the Halls Head Primary School. The Attorney General is correct. Very strong protocols are already in place for the mandatory reporting of sexual abuse with regard to health issues, and they have been in place for some time. Since I became minister, I have been consulting with a whole range of experts and people who have views on this matter. As the member for Dawesville will be aware, there are a number of views. A number of people have raised this issue since I became minister, including Professor David Thorpe, who visited Western Australia recently from the United Kingdom; Professor Fiona Stanley, whom we all know; Justice Hal Jackson, chairman of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Child Protection; Gwen Murray, who highlighted the issue of mandatory reporting in her report; and Professor Tony Morrison, another expert in the field. It needs to be understood that mandatory reporting does not stop child abuse. That is a simple fact. As I continue to negotiate and discuss this important issue, I have encountered no firm evidence to change my mind or that of the government. The government will make sure that through the protocols already in place and the very stringent requirements of the Children and Community Services Act 2004, it will continue to provide the children and families of Western Australia with the greatest possible protection. That is underpinned by the commitment by this government in the recent budget to provide the Department for Community Development with the largest injection of funds in its history - $140 million. This government is committed to children and families in Western Australia, and will continue to deliver quality services to them and ensure that the interests of children are central.
The Attorney General is correct. Very strong protocols are already in place for the mandatory reporting of sexual abuse with regard to health issues, and they have been in place for some time. Since I became minister, I have been consulting with a whole range of experts and people who have views on this matter. As the member for Dawesville will be aware, there are a number of views. A number of people have raised this issue since I became minister, including Professor David Thorpe, who visited Western Australia recently from the United Kingdom; Professor Fiona Stanley, whom we all know; Justice Hal Jackson, chairman of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Child Protection; Gwen Murray, who highlighted the issue of mandatory reporting in her report; and Professor Tony Morrison, another expert in the field. It needs to be understood that mandatory reporting does not stop child abuse. That is a simple fact. As I continue to negotiate and discuss this important issue, I have encountered no firm evidence to change my mind or that of the government. The government will make sure that through the protocols already in place and the very stringent requirements of the Children and Community Services Act 2004, it will continue to provide the children and families of Western Australia with the greatest possible protection. That is underpinned by the commitment by this government in the recent budget to provide the Department for Community Development with the largest injection of funds in its history - $140 million. This government is committed to children and families in Western Australia, and will continue to deliver quality services to them and ensure that the interests of children are central.
I refer the minister to reports in today’s The West Australian that the member for Kimberley has called for mandatory reporting of all cases of suspected child abuse. Will the minister now reconsider the government’s opposition to mandatory reporting of child abuse. Mr J.A. McGinty : We already have mandatory reporting. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN replied: I also welcome the students from the Halls Head Primary School. The Attorney General is correct. Very strong protocols are already in place for the mandatory reporting of sexual abuse with regard to health issues, and they have been in place for some time. Since I became minister, I have been consulting with a whole range of experts and people who have views on this matter. As the member for Dawesville will be aware, there are a number of views. A number of people have raised this issue since I became minister, including Professor David Thorpe, who visited Western Australia recently from the United Kingdom; Professor Fiona Stanley, whom we all know; Justice Hal Jackson, chairman of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Child Protection; Gwen Murray, who highlighted the issue of mandatory reporting in her report; and Professor Tony Morrison, another expert in the field. It needs to be understood that mandatory reporting does not stop child abuse. That is a simple fact. As I continue to negotiate and discuss this important issue, I have encountered no firm evidence to change my mind or that of the government. The government will make sure that through the protocols already in place and the very stringent requirements of the Children and Community Services Act 2004, it will continue to provide the children and families of Western Australia with the greatest possible protection. That is underpinned by the commitment by this government in the recent budget to provide the Department for Community Development with the largest injection of funds in its history - $140 million. This government is committed to children and families in Western Australia, and will continue to deliver quality services to them and ensure that the interests of children are central.
Mr J.A. McGinty : We already have mandatory reporting. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN replied: I also welcome the students from the Halls Head Primary School. The Attorney General is correct. Very strong protocols are already in place for the mandatory reporting of sexual abuse with regard to health issues, and they have been in place for some time. Since I became minister, I have been consulting with a whole range of experts and people who have views on this matter. As the member for Dawesville will be aware, there are a number of views. A number of people have raised this issue since I became minister, including Professor David Thorpe, who visited Western Australia recently from the United Kingdom; Professor Fiona Stanley, whom we all know; Justice Hal Jackson, chairman of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Child Protection; Gwen Murray, who highlighted the issue of mandatory reporting in her report; and Professor Tony Morrison, another expert in the field. It needs to be understood that mandatory reporting does not stop child abuse. That is a simple fact. As I continue to negotiate and discuss this important issue, I have encountered no firm evidence to change my mind or that of the government. The government will make sure that through the protocols already in place and the very stringent requirements of the Children and Community Services Act 2004, it will continue to provide the children and families of Western Australia with the greatest possible protection. That is underpinned by the commitment by this government in the recent budget to provide the Department for Community Development with the largest injection of funds in its history - $140 million. This government is committed to children and families in Western Australia, and will continue to deliver quality services to them and ensure that the interests of children are central.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN replied: I also welcome the students from the Halls Head Primary School. The Attorney General is correct. Very strong protocols are already in place for the mandatory reporting of sexual abuse with regard to health issues, and they have been in place for some time. Since I became minister, I have been consulting with a whole range of experts and people who have views on this matter. As the member for Dawesville will be aware, there are a number of views. A number of people have raised this issue since I became minister, including Professor David Thorpe, who visited Western Australia recently from the United Kingdom; Professor Fiona Stanley, whom we all know; Justice Hal Jackson, chairman of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Child Protection; Gwen Murray, who highlighted the issue of mandatory reporting in her report; and Professor Tony Morrison, another expert in the field. It needs to be understood that mandatory reporting does not stop child abuse. That is a simple fact. As I continue to negotiate and discuss this important issue, I have encountered no firm evidence to change my mind or that of the government. The government will make sure that through the protocols already in place and the very stringent requirements of the Children and Community Services Act 2004, it will continue to provide the children and families of Western Australia with the greatest possible protection. That is underpinned by the commitment by this government in the recent budget to provide the Department for Community Development with the largest injection of funds in its history - $140 million. This government is committed to children and families in Western Australia, and will continue to deliver quality services to them and ensure that the interests of children are central.
I also welcome the students from the Halls Head Primary School. The Attorney General is correct. Very strong protocols are already in place for the mandatory reporting of sexual abuse with regard to health issues, and they have been in place for some time. Since I became minister, I have been consulting with a whole range of experts and people who have views on this matter. As the member for Dawesville will be aware, there are a number of views. A number of people have raised this issue since I became minister, including Professor David Thorpe, who visited Western Australia recently from the United Kingdom; Professor Fiona Stanley, whom we all know; Justice Hal Jackson, chairman of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Child Protection; Gwen Murray, who highlighted the issue of mandatory reporting in her report; and Professor Tony Morrison, another expert in the field. It needs to be understood that mandatory reporting does not stop child abuse. That is a simple fact. As I continue to negotiate and discuss this important issue, I have encountered no firm evidence to change my mind or that of the government. The government will make sure that through the protocols already in place and the very stringent requirements of the Children and Community Services Act 2004, it will continue to provide the children and families of Western Australia with the greatest possible protection. That is underpinned by the commitment by this government in the recent budget to provide the Department for Community Development with the largest injection of funds in its history - $140 million. This government is committed to children and families in Western Australia, and will continue to deliver quality services to them and ensure that the interests of children are central.
The Attorney General is correct. Very strong protocols are already in place for the mandatory reporting of sexual abuse with regard to health issues, and they have been in place for some time. Since I became minister, I have been consulting with a whole range of experts and people who have views on this matter. As the member for Dawesville will be aware, there are a number of views. A number of people have raised this issue since I became minister, including Professor David Thorpe, who visited Western Australia recently from the United Kingdom; Professor Fiona Stanley, whom we all know; Justice Hal Jackson, chairman of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Child Protection; Gwen Murray, who highlighted the issue of mandatory reporting in her report; and Professor Tony Morrison, another expert in the field. It needs to be understood that mandatory reporting does not stop child abuse. That is a simple fact. As I continue to negotiate and discuss this important issue, I have encountered no firm evidence to change my mind or that of the government. The government will make sure that through the protocols already in place and the very stringent requirements of the Children and Community Services Act 2004, it will continue to provide the children and families of Western Australia with the greatest possible protection. That is underpinned by the commitment by this government in the recent budget to provide the Department for Community Development with the largest injection of funds in its history - $140 million. This government is committed to children and families in Western Australia, and will continue to deliver quality services to them and ensure that the interests of children are central.
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