❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses youth suicide attempts, youth worker funding, and the replacement of a youth centre in Balgo. The Minister acknowledges the issues, clarifies the suicide attempt numbers, and outlines ongoing departmental collaborations and considerations for funding.
AnsweredQoN 4240Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Is the Minister aware of media reports that there have recently been 12 attempted suicides amongst the youth in the remote community of Balgo in the South East Kimberley?
Will the Minister take action to put in place funds for a second youth worker to assist with this critical situation amongst these young people; and
if not, why not; and
Will the Minister take action to put in place funds to assist with the replacement of a Youth Centre, which burnt down last year as a result of the activities of youngsters sniffing petrol at the community; and
if not, why not?
Will the Minister take action to put in place funds for a second youth worker to assist with this critical situation amongst these young people; and
if not, why not; and
Will the Minister take action to put in place funds to assist with the replacement of a Youth Centre, which burnt down last year as a result of the activities of youngsters sniffing petrol at the community; and
if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
24 November 2010
Responded by
Minister for Indigenous Affairs
Response time
15 days
Media reports regarding the number of attempted suicides among youth in the Balgo Community are inaccurate. I am advised that two youth have received medical support, including mental health assessment, during the last six months.
The Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) is working closely with the Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) regarding options for addressing the youth issues at the Balgo Community which may include the employment of an additional Youth Worker. In addition, the DIA has arranged to meet with the Department for Communities regarding opportunities for collaboration with the Office of Youth. It is critical that Government carefully reviews the needs and options to address them before allocating funding for any initiative.
The previous youth centre was housed in a building owned by the Catholic Diocese of Broome who advise they have a long term goal to rebuild the centre, but as yet they have not made any formal approach to the Government for funding for this purpose. The Department for Sport and Recreation and DIA have worked collaboratively on a number of youth initiatives, and should a funding application be put to Government for this purpose it will be considered at that time.
The Balgo Community has a number of facilities for youth including a covered basketball court which is currently used for a range of activities.
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The Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) is working closely with the Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) regarding options for addressing the youth issues at the Balgo Community which may include the employment of an additional Youth Worker. In addition, the DIA has arranged to meet with the Department for Communities regarding opportunities for collaboration with the Office of Youth. It is critical that Government carefully reviews the needs and options to address them before allocating funding for any initiative.
The previous youth centre was housed in a building owned by the Catholic Diocese of Broome who advise they have a long term goal to rebuild the centre, but as yet they have not made any formal approach to the Government for funding for this purpose. The Department for Sport and Recreation and DIA have worked collaboratively on a number of youth initiatives, and should a funding application be put to Government for this purpose it will be considered at that time.
The Balgo Community has a number of facilities for youth including a covered basketball court which is currently used for a range of activities.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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