❓ Hon Stephen Dawson questions the Minister for Child Protection regarding the Department's handling of information about David Farnell, a convicted child sexual abuser, having a child in his care. The Minister provides dates and actions taken by the Department.
AnsweredQoN 1055Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT
FOR CHILD PROTECTION AND FAMILY SUPPORT — DAVID FARNELL
1055. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the
Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to the minister's answer to question without
notice 1034 asked yesterday that —
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.
(1) On what date
did the minister, or anyone in the office of the minister, first become aware
that there was a baby in the care of Mr Farnell?
(2) What
action did the department take once it received the information on 15 May that
there was a baby in the care of Mr Farnell?
(3) Did the
department advise or seek assistance from police to ascertain the whereabouts
of Mr Farnell once notified on 15 May; and, if not, why not?
(4) Did the
minister, or anyone in her office, seek advice from, or notify, anyone in the
Premier's office that the department had been made aware that ''a
Mr Farnell had been previously convicted for child sexual abuse offences and
had a child in his care through an unknown arrangement''?
FOR CHILD PROTECTION AND FAMILY SUPPORT — DAVID FARNELL
1055. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the
Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to the minister's answer to question without
notice 1034 asked yesterday that —
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.
(1) On what date
did the minister, or anyone in the office of the minister, first become aware
that there was a baby in the care of Mr Farnell?
(2) What
action did the department take once it received the information on 15 May that
there was a baby in the care of Mr Farnell?
(3) Did the
department advise or seek assistance from police to ascertain the whereabouts
of Mr Farnell once notified on 15 May; and, if not, why not?
(4) Did the
minister, or anyone in her office, seek advice from, or notify, anyone in the
Premier's office that the department had been made aware that ''a
Mr Farnell had been previously convicted for child sexual abuse offences and
had a child in his care through an unknown arrangement''?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for giving me notice of this question.
(1) On 4 August 2014.
(2) Following
receipt of the information on 15 May 2014, the Department for Child Protection
and Family Support determined that more information was required and the matter
was opened as an assessment.
(3) The
department reviewed its existing records to ascertain if any previous concerns
had been raised regarding Mr Farnell and if the department had any previous
involvement. The department had not. At that time the assessment team
prioritised a number of other critical cases, and as a result the Farnell case
was not investigated immediately.
(4) Yes.
Following the matter being reported in the media on 4 August 2014, the minister—that
is me—immediately contacted the department to confirm they had made
contact with the family and has kept the Premier's office informed on
an ongoing basis since that time.
(1) On 4 August 2014.
(2) Following
receipt of the information on 15 May 2014, the Department for Child Protection
and Family Support determined that more information was required and the matter
was opened as an assessment.
(3) The
department reviewed its existing records to ascertain if any previous concerns
had been raised regarding Mr Farnell and if the department had any previous
involvement. The department had not. At that time the assessment team
prioritised a number of other critical cases, and as a result the Farnell case
was not investigated immediately.
(4) Yes.
Following the matter being reported in the media on 4 August 2014, the minister—that
is me—immediately contacted the department to confirm they had made
contact with the family and has kept the Premier's office informed on
an ongoing basis since that time.
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