❓ A WA parliamentary question probes the Minister about formal inquiries into alleged abuse of children in state care, following disclosure of legal action by affected children. The Minister asserts existing investigations are sufficient and questions the definition of 'formal' inquiry.
AnsweredQoN 753Legislative Assembly
Asked
4 June 2003
Member
Portfolio
Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the minister’s disclosure to the Estimates Committee that in five cases children under the care and protection of her department have commenced legal action for allegedly having suffered abuse while in that care. (1) Has the minister commenced a formal inquiry into how such a situation occurred with children under her care and protection? (2) If not, why has no such formal inquiry been instituted into such a serious breach of state responsibility? (3) If yes, will she make full disclosures in Parliament arising out of such a formal inquiry? Ms S.M. McHALE
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) Cases of alleged abuse in care are investigated. I consider that to be a sufficient inquiry. I do not know what the member means by “formal”. Any allegation of abuse while a child is in care is considered by the department to be very serious. Each case is investigated and, as required, is referred after assessment for independent legal advice. Each case is taken very seriously and followed through.
(1) Has the minister commenced a formal inquiry into how such a situation occurred with children under her care and protection? (2) If not, why has no such formal inquiry been instituted into such a serious breach of state responsibility? (3) If yes, will she make full disclosures in Parliament arising out of such a formal inquiry? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(3) Cases of alleged abuse in care are investigated. I consider that to be a sufficient inquiry. I do not know what the member means by “formal”. Any allegation of abuse while a child is in care is considered by the department to be very serious. Each case is investigated and, as required, is referred after assessment for independent legal advice. Each case is taken very seriously and followed through.
(2) If not, why has no such formal inquiry been instituted into such a serious breach of state responsibility? (3) If yes, will she make full disclosures in Parliament arising out of such a formal inquiry? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(3) Cases of alleged abuse in care are investigated. I consider that to be a sufficient inquiry. I do not know what the member means by “formal”. Any allegation of abuse while a child is in care is considered by the department to be very serious. Each case is investigated and, as required, is referred after assessment for independent legal advice. Each case is taken very seriously and followed through.
(3) If yes, will she make full disclosures in Parliament arising out of such a formal inquiry? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(3) Cases of alleged abuse in care are investigated. I consider that to be a sufficient inquiry. I do not know what the member means by “formal”. Any allegation of abuse while a child is in care is considered by the department to be very serious. Each case is investigated and, as required, is referred after assessment for independent legal advice. Each case is taken very seriously and followed through.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(3) Cases of alleged abuse in care are investigated. I consider that to be a sufficient inquiry. I do not know what the member means by “formal”. Any allegation of abuse while a child is in care is considered by the department to be very serious. Each case is investigated and, as required, is referred after assessment for independent legal advice. Each case is taken very seriously and followed through.
(1)-(3) Cases of alleged abuse in care are investigated. I consider that to be a sufficient inquiry. I do not know what the member means by “formal”. Any allegation of abuse while a child is in care is considered by the department to be very serious. Each case is investigated and, as required, is referred after assessment for independent legal advice. Each case is taken very seriously and followed through.
(1) Has the minister commenced a formal inquiry into how such a situation occurred with children under her care and protection? (2) If not, why has no such formal inquiry been instituted into such a serious breach of state responsibility? (3) If yes, will she make full disclosures in Parliament arising out of such a formal inquiry? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(3) Cases of alleged abuse in care are investigated. I consider that to be a sufficient inquiry. I do not know what the member means by “formal”. Any allegation of abuse while a child is in care is considered by the department to be very serious. Each case is investigated and, as required, is referred after assessment for independent legal advice. Each case is taken very seriously and followed through.
(2) If not, why has no such formal inquiry been instituted into such a serious breach of state responsibility? (3) If yes, will she make full disclosures in Parliament arising out of such a formal inquiry? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(3) Cases of alleged abuse in care are investigated. I consider that to be a sufficient inquiry. I do not know what the member means by “formal”. Any allegation of abuse while a child is in care is considered by the department to be very serious. Each case is investigated and, as required, is referred after assessment for independent legal advice. Each case is taken very seriously and followed through.
(3) If yes, will she make full disclosures in Parliament arising out of such a formal inquiry? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(3) Cases of alleged abuse in care are investigated. I consider that to be a sufficient inquiry. I do not know what the member means by “formal”. Any allegation of abuse while a child is in care is considered by the department to be very serious. Each case is investigated and, as required, is referred after assessment for independent legal advice. Each case is taken very seriously and followed through.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(3) Cases of alleged abuse in care are investigated. I consider that to be a sufficient inquiry. I do not know what the member means by “formal”. Any allegation of abuse while a child is in care is considered by the department to be very serious. Each case is investigated and, as required, is referred after assessment for independent legal advice. Each case is taken very seriously and followed through.
(1)-(3) Cases of alleged abuse in care are investigated. I consider that to be a sufficient inquiry. I do not know what the member means by “formal”. Any allegation of abuse while a child is in care is considered by the department to be very serious. Each case is investigated and, as required, is referred after assessment for independent legal advice. Each case is taken very seriously and followed through.
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