A parliamentary question regarding the death of three children in a Port Hedland house fire and the Department of Communities' involvement with the family. The Minister acknowledges the question and confirms the department's prior involvement and ongoing support, but declines to provide further details due to ongoing court proceedings.

AnsweredQoN 605Legislative Council
Asked
9 August 2022
Portfolio
Community Services

QuestionView source ↗

COMMUNITIES — PORT HEDLAND HOUSE FIRE
605. Hon STEVE MARTIN to the Leader of the House representing the
Minister for Community Services:
I refer to the tragic death of three
children in a house fire in Port Hedland last month.
(1) Was the
family known to the Department of Communities?
(2) When was the
last time the department made contact—verbal, written or in person—with
the family?
(3) Will the department be undertaking its own
investigation into the circumstances leading up to the deaths of these children; and, if so, what is the time line
for the investigation, and will the findings of that investigation be
made public?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) Yes.
(2) The
Department of Communities continues to provide support to the family in a sensitive
and culturally appropriate manner.
(3) As has been
previously reported, the department immediately commenced a review into its
interactions with the family. As a court process is underway, it is not
appropriate to provide further comment.

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