❓ A WA parliamentary question highlights the increasing over-representation of Aboriginal children in care and seeks information on ministerial briefings regarding Closing the Gap targets. The Minister's response outlines government initiatives and commitment to addressing the issue.
AnsweredQoN 262Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Child protection—Aboriginal children in care262.Hon Nick Goiranto the minister representing the Minister for Child Protection:I refer to the
Commissioner for Children and Young People's report,Profile of children and young people in WA 2025,
which noted that the Closing the Gap target is to reduce the number of
Aboriginal children in care by 45% by 2031.(1) Is the minister aware that this report states
that 59.7% of children in care in WA are Aboriginal, which is a significant
increase from 50.6% in 2014?(2) When was the minister last briefed about the
target and these rates?(3) Who provided that briefing?
Commissioner for Children and Young People's report,Profile of children and young people in WA 2025,
which noted that the Closing the Gap target is to reduce the number of
Aboriginal children in care by 45% by 2031.(1) Is the minister aware that this report states
that 59.7% of children in care in WA are Aboriginal, which is a significant
increase from 50.6% in 2014?(2) When was the minister last briefed about the
target and these rates?(3) Who provided that briefing?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
28 May 2025
Response time
0 days
Hon Jackie Jarvis replied:I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.(1)–(3) The Department of Communities advises
that keeping children safely at home with their families where possible is a
priority for the state government. The state government acknowledges the over-representation
of Aboriginal children in out-of-home care. The state government is addressing
thisthrough Aboriginal-led approaches that empower
families and communities while always prioritising thesafety and wellbeing
of children.A recommendation to bring a
child into care is only made as a last resort, and the final decision always
rests with the Children's Court of Western Australia. The Minister for Child
Protection has been briefed on Closing the Gap and WA's implementation of Safe
and Supported; The National Framework for Protecting Australia's
Children (2021–2031).WA is committed to working
towards target 12 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and implementing
the safe and supported action plans, which aim to reduce the over-representation
of Aboriginal children in out-of-home care. The Minister for Child Protection
is being regularly briefed on the progress of the safe and supported action
plans.
Child protection—Aboriginal children in care
honourable member for some notice of the question.(1)–(3) The Department of Communities advises
that keeping children safely at home with their families where possible is a
priority for the state government. The state government acknowledges the over-representation
of Aboriginal children in out-of-home care. The state government is addressing
thisthrough Aboriginal-led approaches that empower
families and communities while always prioritising thesafety and wellbeing
of children.A recommendation to bring a
child into care is only made as a last resort, and the final decision always
rests with the Children's Court of Western Australia. The Minister for Child
Protection has been briefed on Closing the Gap and WA's implementation of Safe
and Supported; The National Framework for Protecting Australia's
Children (2021–2031).WA is committed to working
towards target 12 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and implementing
the safe and supported action plans, which aim to reduce the over-representation
of Aboriginal children in out-of-home care. The Minister for Child Protection
is being regularly briefed on the progress of the safe and supported action
plans.
Child protection—Aboriginal children in care
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