❓ Dr. Steve Thomas questions the Premier regarding the necessity of departmental references on official Department of Communities documents used in court, specifically an affidavit in Family Court. The Premier confirms that such references are not mandatory under the State Records Act 2000.
AnsweredQoN 748Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to my question on notice (530) 515 on an
affidavit being used in court proceedings addressed to the Presiding Magistrate
of the Family Court of Western Australia, and which was on an official
Government of Western Australia, Department of Communities letterhead, dated 31
July 2025, and I ask the Premier as the Minister responsible for public sector management: (a) can the Premier confirm the advice given to me by the Minister for Child Protection that departmental references and document numbers are not required on the documents tendered to the court on the letterhead of the Department of Communities; (b) under what other circumstances are letters and documents from the Department of Communities on departmental letterhead not required to have references or document numbers; and (c) under what circumstances are letters and documents from the public service on departmental letterhead not required to have references or document numbers?
affidavit being used in court proceedings addressed to the Presiding Magistrate
of the Family Court of Western Australia, and which was on an official
Government of Western Australia, Department of Communities letterhead, dated 31
July 2025, and I ask the Premier as the Minister responsible for public sector management: (a) can the Premier confirm the advice given to me by the Minister for Child Protection that departmental references and document numbers are not required on the documents tendered to the court on the letterhead of the Department of Communities; (b) under what other circumstances are letters and documents from the Department of Communities on departmental letterhead not required to have references or document numbers; and (c) under what circumstances are letters and documents from the public service on departmental letterhead not required to have references or document numbers?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
2 December 2025
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Premier
Response time
9 days
(a-c) I confirm the advice provided by the Minister for Child Protection.
The State Records Act 2000 does not require public sector agencies to use document or reference numbers on correspondence. The Act provides the requirement for each department to have a record keeping plan, which sets out the way records will be created.
The State Records Act 2000 does not require public sector agencies to use document or reference numbers on correspondence. The Act provides the requirement for each department to have a record keeping plan, which sets out the way records will be created.
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