❓ This parliamentary question and answer reveal ongoing concerns about the whereabouts of children in the care of the Western Australian Department of Child Protection, with several children still missing or unaccounted for, and some having been missing for extended periods.
AnsweredQoN 133Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Children in care—Whereabouts unknown
133. Hon Nick Goiran to
the minister representing the Minister for
Child Protection:
I refer to the
answer on 24 February 2026 to my question without notice 2.
(1) Have the two children that the
department reported to WA Police as a missing person been found?
(2) Have the two children recorded as "unaccounted
for, not in contact" been found?
(3) Are the whereabouts of the 13
children recorded as "unaccounted for, in contact", now known?
(4) For how many days were the whereabouts
of the 17 children unknown, and have any reports of the children being victims
of crime during this period have been reported to senior leadership?
(5) How many children in the care of the
CEO have their whereabouts currently recorded as:
(a) "unaccounted for, in
contact";
(b) "unaccounted
for, not in contact"; and
(c) missing?
133. Hon Nick Goiran to
the minister representing the Minister for
Child Protection:
I refer to the
answer on 24 February 2026 to my question without notice 2.
(1) Have the two children that the
department reported to WA Police as a missing person been found?
(2) Have the two children recorded as "unaccounted
for, not in contact" been found?
(3) Are the whereabouts of the 13
children recorded as "unaccounted for, in contact", now known?
(4) For how many days were the whereabouts
of the 17 children unknown, and have any reports of the children being victims
of crime during this period have been reported to senior leadership?
(5) How many children in the care of the
CEO have their whereabouts currently recorded as:
(a) "unaccounted for, in
contact";
(b) "unaccounted
for, not in contact"; and
(c) missing?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. I provide the following
answer on behalf of the Minister for Child Protection and answer on behalf of
the representing minister.
(1) The whereabouts of the two young
people were known. However, they are currently reported "missing" as
at 9 March 2026.
(2) The whereabouts of one of the young
people is not known. The other young person's whereabouts was known. However, that
person is currently "unaccounted for, not in contact".
(3) The whereabouts of six of the young
people are now known. The whereabouts of seven of the young people are unknown.
However, the young people are currently "unaccounted for, in
contact".
(4) The period the 17 young people's
whereabouts were unknown ranges between one day and 43 days. When a child or
young person is located, every effort is made to ensure they are safe and have
the services and supports they require. Any disclosures related to these 17
children will have been managed in accordance with the reporting requirements
of the Child Protection Guide.
(5) There are:
(a) 12;
(b) two; and
(c) two.
honourable member for some notice of the question. I provide the following
answer on behalf of the Minister for Child Protection and answer on behalf of
the representing minister.
(1) The whereabouts of the two young
people were known. However, they are currently reported "missing" as
at 9 March 2026.
(2) The whereabouts of one of the young
people is not known. The other young person's whereabouts was known. However, that
person is currently "unaccounted for, not in contact".
(3) The whereabouts of six of the young
people are now known. The whereabouts of seven of the young people are unknown.
However, the young people are currently "unaccounted for, in
contact".
(4) The period the 17 young people's
whereabouts were unknown ranges between one day and 43 days. When a child or
young person is located, every effort is made to ensure they are safe and have
the services and supports they require. Any disclosures related to these 17
children will have been managed in accordance with the reporting requirements
of the Child Protection Guide.
(5) There are:
(a) 12;
(b) two; and
(c) two.
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