Opposition asks the Minister for Community Development to reconsider his stance against mandatory reporting of child abuse following the death of Olive Sturt. The Minister remains unconvinced mandatory reporting protects children.

AnsweredQoN 944Legislative Assembly
Asked
11 December 2006
Portfolio
Community Development

QuestionView source ↗

OLIVE STURT - DEATH
I ask a supplementary question. Will the minister reconsider his opposition to mandatory reporting and support the bill that I introduced to enact mandatory reporting in Western Australia; and, if not, why not? Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN

AnswerView source ↗

The opposition continues to raise the issue of mandatory reporting. Mandatory reporting would not have saved this child. That is the tragedy. What we need to understand with regard to mandatory reporting and all the views behind it is that the evidence shows very clearly that mandatory reporting does not protect children. I remain unconvinced that taking the state down that path will be productive and protect children, and that is what we need to be focusing on.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN replied: The opposition continues to raise the issue of mandatory reporting. Mandatory reporting would not have saved this child. That is the tragedy. What we need to understand with regard to mandatory reporting and all the views behind it is that the evidence shows very clearly that mandatory reporting does not protect children. I remain unconvinced that taking the state down that path will be productive and protect children, and that is what we need to be focusing on.
The opposition continues to raise the issue of mandatory reporting. Mandatory reporting would not have saved this child. That is the tragedy. What we need to understand with regard to mandatory reporting and all the views behind it is that the evidence shows very clearly that mandatory reporting does not protect children. I remain unconvinced that taking the state down that path will be productive and protect children, and that is what we need to be focusing on.

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