WA Police were invited to a Senate inquiry on missing and murdered First Nations women and children but declined, citing existing oversight mechanisms. The response emphasizes accountability and commitment despite non-attendance.

AnsweredQoN 1205Legislative Council
Asked
11 October 2023
Portfolio
Police

QuestionView source ↗

SENATE LEGAL AND
CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE —INQUIRY INTO MISSING AND MURDERED
FIRST NATIONS WOMEN AND CHILDREN
1205. Hon PETER COLLIER to the minister representing the Minister
for Police:
(1) Was the Western
Australia Police Force invited to appear before the Senate inquiry into missing
and murdered First Nations women and children?
(2) If yes to (1), did WAPOL appear before the Senate
committee?
(3) If no to (2), why not?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following information has been provided to me
by the Minister for Police,
(1)–(3) The
Western Australia Police Force advises that the agency was invited to attend
the inquiry. As a state police force, our
agency is already the subject of significant scrutiny by various oversight
bodies, including but not limited to the State Coroner, the state
Ombudsman, the Corruption and Crime Commission and the Parliament of Western Australia,
amongst others. These independent bodies, in conjunction with our own internal
systems and policies, ensure that the WA Police Force remains accountable for
its actions when serving our community. Its decision does not reflect any lack
of commitment to the cause or a desire to positively contribute to resolving
the issues at hand.

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