❓ Question on Notice regarding the Children and Community Development Bill and child protection measures. The Minister denies claims that the Bill weakens child protection and defends the government's record on the issue.
AnsweredQoN 157Legislative Assembly
Asked
6 April 2004
Member
Portfolio
Community Development, Women’s
Interests, Seniors and Youth
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to the Government’s Children and Community Development Bill, which the minister and the Premier claimed would provide greater protection for abused children. (1) Can the minister confirm that, under this legislation, the Labor Government in fact intends to make it harder to remove children who are suffering physical, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse from dangerous situations? (2) Can the minister also confirm that this new legislation will see more perpetrators of inter-family child abuse referred to programs such as SafeCare, which sees such perpetrators staying in or sneaking back into the family home with the child victim while undergoing therapy? (3) When will this Government get serious about this tragic issue and put victims of child abuse first, rather than offenders? Ms S.M. McHALE
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) The member for Nedlands does not understand the Bill and I think her question reflects that. The answer to the first question is no. The answer to the second question is no. The answer to the third question is that this is the first Government in 10 years that has been serious about child abuse. This Government has put more money into child protection than any other Government in the past 10 or 11 years, so the member should not come into this Parliament and ask me when we will get serious. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let us look at our record. It is the first inquiry - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: It is the first inquiry into this department and related issues that was accompanied by money. If the member cares to look back over the past 10 years, she will find various reports that have referred to the importance of resources in our department to better support children. This Government held an inquiry and this Government delivered much needed resources. In terms of the seriousness of the Gallop Government in dealing with child abuse, we are deadly serious and we will maintain our position in this regard. There is nothing worse than reading about the abuse of children, be it sexual or otherwise. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Member! Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
(1) Can the minister confirm that, under this legislation, the Labor Government in fact intends to make it harder to remove children who are suffering physical, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse from dangerous situations? (2) Can the minister also confirm that this new legislation will see more perpetrators of inter-family child abuse referred to programs such as SafeCare, which sees such perpetrators staying in or sneaking back into the family home with the child victim while undergoing therapy? (3) When will this Government get serious about this tragic issue and put victims of child abuse first, rather than offenders? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(3) The member for Nedlands does not understand the Bill and I think her question reflects that. The answer to the first question is no. The answer to the second question is no. The answer to the third question is that this is the first Government in 10 years that has been serious about child abuse. This Government has put more money into child protection than any other Government in the past 10 or 11 years, so the member should not come into this Parliament and ask me when we will get serious. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let us look at our record. It is the first inquiry - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: It is the first inquiry into this department and related issues that was accompanied by money. If the member cares to look back over the past 10 years, she will find various reports that have referred to the importance of resources in our department to better support children. This Government held an inquiry and this Government delivered much needed resources. In terms of the seriousness of the Gallop Government in dealing with child abuse, we are deadly serious and we will maintain our position in this regard. There is nothing worse than reading about the abuse of children, be it sexual or otherwise. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Member! Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
(2) Can the minister also confirm that this new legislation will see more perpetrators of inter-family child abuse referred to programs such as SafeCare, which sees such perpetrators staying in or sneaking back into the family home with the child victim while undergoing therapy? (3) When will this Government get serious about this tragic issue and put victims of child abuse first, rather than offenders? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(3) The member for Nedlands does not understand the Bill and I think her question reflects that. The answer to the first question is no. The answer to the second question is no. The answer to the third question is that this is the first Government in 10 years that has been serious about child abuse. This Government has put more money into child protection than any other Government in the past 10 or 11 years, so the member should not come into this Parliament and ask me when we will get serious. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let us look at our record. It is the first inquiry - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: It is the first inquiry into this department and related issues that was accompanied by money. If the member cares to look back over the past 10 years, she will find various reports that have referred to the importance of resources in our department to better support children. This Government held an inquiry and this Government delivered much needed resources. In terms of the seriousness of the Gallop Government in dealing with child abuse, we are deadly serious and we will maintain our position in this regard. There is nothing worse than reading about the abuse of children, be it sexual or otherwise. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Member! Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
(3) When will this Government get serious about this tragic issue and put victims of child abuse first, rather than offenders? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(3) The member for Nedlands does not understand the Bill and I think her question reflects that. The answer to the first question is no. The answer to the second question is no. The answer to the third question is that this is the first Government in 10 years that has been serious about child abuse. This Government has put more money into child protection than any other Government in the past 10 or 11 years, so the member should not come into this Parliament and ask me when we will get serious. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let us look at our record. It is the first inquiry - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: It is the first inquiry into this department and related issues that was accompanied by money. If the member cares to look back over the past 10 years, she will find various reports that have referred to the importance of resources in our department to better support children. This Government held an inquiry and this Government delivered much needed resources. In terms of the seriousness of the Gallop Government in dealing with child abuse, we are deadly serious and we will maintain our position in this regard. There is nothing worse than reading about the abuse of children, be it sexual or otherwise. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Member! Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(3) The member for Nedlands does not understand the Bill and I think her question reflects that. The answer to the first question is no. The answer to the second question is no. The answer to the third question is that this is the first Government in 10 years that has been serious about child abuse. This Government has put more money into child protection than any other Government in the past 10 or 11 years, so the member should not come into this Parliament and ask me when we will get serious. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let us look at our record. It is the first inquiry - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: It is the first inquiry into this department and related issues that was accompanied by money. If the member cares to look back over the past 10 years, she will find various reports that have referred to the importance of resources in our department to better support children. This Government held an inquiry and this Government delivered much needed resources. In terms of the seriousness of the Gallop Government in dealing with child abuse, we are deadly serious and we will maintain our position in this regard. There is nothing worse than reading about the abuse of children, be it sexual or otherwise. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Member! Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
(1)-(3) The member for Nedlands does not understand the Bill and I think her question reflects that. The answer to the first question is no. The answer to the second question is no. The answer to the third question is that this is the first Government in 10 years that has been serious about child abuse. This Government has put more money into child protection than any other Government in the past 10 or 11 years, so the member should not come into this Parliament and ask me when we will get serious. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let us look at our record. It is the first inquiry - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: It is the first inquiry into this department and related issues that was accompanied by money. If the member cares to look back over the past 10 years, she will find various reports that have referred to the importance of resources in our department to better support children. This Government held an inquiry and this Government delivered much needed resources. In terms of the seriousness of the Gallop Government in dealing with child abuse, we are deadly serious and we will maintain our position in this regard. There is nothing worse than reading about the abuse of children, be it sexual or otherwise. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Member! Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let us look at our record. It is the first inquiry - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: It is the first inquiry into this department and related issues that was accompanied by money. If the member cares to look back over the past 10 years, she will find various reports that have referred to the importance of resources in our department to better support children. This Government held an inquiry and this Government delivered much needed resources. In terms of the seriousness of the Gallop Government in dealing with child abuse, we are deadly serious and we will maintain our position in this regard. There is nothing worse than reading about the abuse of children, be it sexual or otherwise. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Member! Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let us look at our record. It is the first inquiry - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: It is the first inquiry into this department and related issues that was accompanied by money. If the member cares to look back over the past 10 years, she will find various reports that have referred to the importance of resources in our department to better support children. This Government held an inquiry and this Government delivered much needed resources. In terms of the seriousness of the Gallop Government in dealing with child abuse, we are deadly serious and we will maintain our position in this regard. There is nothing worse than reading about the abuse of children, be it sexual or otherwise. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Member! Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
Ms S.M. McHALE: Let us look at our record. It is the first inquiry - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: It is the first inquiry into this department and related issues that was accompanied by money. If the member cares to look back over the past 10 years, she will find various reports that have referred to the importance of resources in our department to better support children. This Government held an inquiry and this Government delivered much needed resources. In terms of the seriousness of the Gallop Government in dealing with child abuse, we are deadly serious and we will maintain our position in this regard. There is nothing worse than reading about the abuse of children, be it sexual or otherwise. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Member! Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: It is the first inquiry into this department and related issues that was accompanied by money. If the member cares to look back over the past 10 years, she will find various reports that have referred to the importance of resources in our department to better support children. This Government held an inquiry and this Government delivered much needed resources. In terms of the seriousness of the Gallop Government in dealing with child abuse, we are deadly serious and we will maintain our position in this regard. There is nothing worse than reading about the abuse of children, be it sexual or otherwise. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Member! Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: It is the first inquiry into this department and related issues that was accompanied by money. If the member cares to look back over the past 10 years, she will find various reports that have referred to the importance of resources in our department to better support children. This Government held an inquiry and this Government delivered much needed resources. In terms of the seriousness of the Gallop Government in dealing with child abuse, we are deadly serious and we will maintain our position in this regard. There is nothing worse than reading about the abuse of children, be it sexual or otherwise. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Member! Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
Ms S.M. McHALE: It is the first inquiry into this department and related issues that was accompanied by money. If the member cares to look back over the past 10 years, she will find various reports that have referred to the importance of resources in our department to better support children. This Government held an inquiry and this Government delivered much needed resources. In terms of the seriousness of the Gallop Government in dealing with child abuse, we are deadly serious and we will maintain our position in this regard. There is nothing worse than reading about the abuse of children, be it sexual or otherwise. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Member! Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Member! Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
The SPEAKER: Member! Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
The SPEAKER: Order, members!
(1) Can the minister confirm that, under this legislation, the Labor Government in fact intends to make it harder to remove children who are suffering physical, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse from dangerous situations? (2) Can the minister also confirm that this new legislation will see more perpetrators of inter-family child abuse referred to programs such as SafeCare, which sees such perpetrators staying in or sneaking back into the family home with the child victim while undergoing therapy? (3) When will this Government get serious about this tragic issue and put victims of child abuse first, rather than offenders? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(3) The member for Nedlands does not understand the Bill and I think her question reflects that. The answer to the first question is no. The answer to the second question is no. The answer to the third question is that this is the first Government in 10 years that has been serious about child abuse. This Government has put more money into child protection than any other Government in the past 10 or 11 years, so the member should not come into this Parliament and ask me when we will get serious. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let us look at our record. It is the first inquiry - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: It is the first inquiry into this department and related issues that was accompanied by money. If the member cares to look back over the past 10 years, she will find various reports that have referred to the importance of resources in our department to better support children. This Government held an inquiry and this Government delivered much needed resources. In terms of the seriousness of the Gallop Government in dealing with child abuse, we are deadly serious and we will maintain our position in this regard. There is nothing worse than reading about the abuse of children, be it sexual or otherwise. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Member! Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
(2) Can the minister also confirm that this new legislation will see more perpetrators of inter-family child abuse referred to programs such as SafeCare, which sees such perpetrators staying in or sneaking back into the family home with the child victim while undergoing therapy? (3) When will this Government get serious about this tragic issue and put victims of child abuse first, rather than offenders? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(3) The member for Nedlands does not understand the Bill and I think her question reflects that. The answer to the first question is no. The answer to the second question is no. The answer to the third question is that this is the first Government in 10 years that has been serious about child abuse. This Government has put more money into child protection than any other Government in the past 10 or 11 years, so the member should not come into this Parliament and ask me when we will get serious. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let us look at our record. It is the first inquiry - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: It is the first inquiry into this department and related issues that was accompanied by money. If the member cares to look back over the past 10 years, she will find various reports that have referred to the importance of resources in our department to better support children. This Government held an inquiry and this Government delivered much needed resources. In terms of the seriousness of the Gallop Government in dealing with child abuse, we are deadly serious and we will maintain our position in this regard. There is nothing worse than reading about the abuse of children, be it sexual or otherwise. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Member! Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
(3) When will this Government get serious about this tragic issue and put victims of child abuse first, rather than offenders? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(3) The member for Nedlands does not understand the Bill and I think her question reflects that. The answer to the first question is no. The answer to the second question is no. The answer to the third question is that this is the first Government in 10 years that has been serious about child abuse. This Government has put more money into child protection than any other Government in the past 10 or 11 years, so the member should not come into this Parliament and ask me when we will get serious. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let us look at our record. It is the first inquiry - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: It is the first inquiry into this department and related issues that was accompanied by money. If the member cares to look back over the past 10 years, she will find various reports that have referred to the importance of resources in our department to better support children. This Government held an inquiry and this Government delivered much needed resources. In terms of the seriousness of the Gallop Government in dealing with child abuse, we are deadly serious and we will maintain our position in this regard. There is nothing worse than reading about the abuse of children, be it sexual or otherwise. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Member! Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: (1)-(3) The member for Nedlands does not understand the Bill and I think her question reflects that. The answer to the first question is no. The answer to the second question is no. The answer to the third question is that this is the first Government in 10 years that has been serious about child abuse. This Government has put more money into child protection than any other Government in the past 10 or 11 years, so the member should not come into this Parliament and ask me when we will get serious. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let us look at our record. It is the first inquiry - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: It is the first inquiry into this department and related issues that was accompanied by money. If the member cares to look back over the past 10 years, she will find various reports that have referred to the importance of resources in our department to better support children. This Government held an inquiry and this Government delivered much needed resources. In terms of the seriousness of the Gallop Government in dealing with child abuse, we are deadly serious and we will maintain our position in this regard. There is nothing worse than reading about the abuse of children, be it sexual or otherwise. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Member! Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
(1)-(3) The member for Nedlands does not understand the Bill and I think her question reflects that. The answer to the first question is no. The answer to the second question is no. The answer to the third question is that this is the first Government in 10 years that has been serious about child abuse. This Government has put more money into child protection than any other Government in the past 10 or 11 years, so the member should not come into this Parliament and ask me when we will get serious. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let us look at our record. It is the first inquiry - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: It is the first inquiry into this department and related issues that was accompanied by money. If the member cares to look back over the past 10 years, she will find various reports that have referred to the importance of resources in our department to better support children. This Government held an inquiry and this Government delivered much needed resources. In terms of the seriousness of the Gallop Government in dealing with child abuse, we are deadly serious and we will maintain our position in this regard. There is nothing worse than reading about the abuse of children, be it sexual or otherwise. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Member! Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let us look at our record. It is the first inquiry - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: It is the first inquiry into this department and related issues that was accompanied by money. If the member cares to look back over the past 10 years, she will find various reports that have referred to the importance of resources in our department to better support children. This Government held an inquiry and this Government delivered much needed resources. In terms of the seriousness of the Gallop Government in dealing with child abuse, we are deadly serious and we will maintain our position in this regard. There is nothing worse than reading about the abuse of children, be it sexual or otherwise. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Member! Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let us look at our record. It is the first inquiry - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: It is the first inquiry into this department and related issues that was accompanied by money. If the member cares to look back over the past 10 years, she will find various reports that have referred to the importance of resources in our department to better support children. This Government held an inquiry and this Government delivered much needed resources. In terms of the seriousness of the Gallop Government in dealing with child abuse, we are deadly serious and we will maintain our position in this regard. There is nothing worse than reading about the abuse of children, be it sexual or otherwise. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Member! Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
Ms S.M. McHALE: Let us look at our record. It is the first inquiry - Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: It is the first inquiry into this department and related issues that was accompanied by money. If the member cares to look back over the past 10 years, she will find various reports that have referred to the importance of resources in our department to better support children. This Government held an inquiry and this Government delivered much needed resources. In terms of the seriousness of the Gallop Government in dealing with child abuse, we are deadly serious and we will maintain our position in this regard. There is nothing worse than reading about the abuse of children, be it sexual or otherwise. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Member! Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: It is the first inquiry into this department and related issues that was accompanied by money. If the member cares to look back over the past 10 years, she will find various reports that have referred to the importance of resources in our department to better support children. This Government held an inquiry and this Government delivered much needed resources. In terms of the seriousness of the Gallop Government in dealing with child abuse, we are deadly serious and we will maintain our position in this regard. There is nothing worse than reading about the abuse of children, be it sexual or otherwise. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Member! Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: It is the first inquiry into this department and related issues that was accompanied by money. If the member cares to look back over the past 10 years, she will find various reports that have referred to the importance of resources in our department to better support children. This Government held an inquiry and this Government delivered much needed resources. In terms of the seriousness of the Gallop Government in dealing with child abuse, we are deadly serious and we will maintain our position in this regard. There is nothing worse than reading about the abuse of children, be it sexual or otherwise. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Member! Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
Ms S.M. McHALE: It is the first inquiry into this department and related issues that was accompanied by money. If the member cares to look back over the past 10 years, she will find various reports that have referred to the importance of resources in our department to better support children. This Government held an inquiry and this Government delivered much needed resources. In terms of the seriousness of the Gallop Government in dealing with child abuse, we are deadly serious and we will maintain our position in this regard. There is nothing worse than reading about the abuse of children, be it sexual or otherwise. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Member! Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Member! Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
The SPEAKER: Member! Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
Ms S.M. McHALE: For the information of members, the member for Nedlands has a problem with SafeCare, which was funded by the previous Government. It is interesting that it was never raised then. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
The SPEAKER: Order, member! Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
Mrs C.L. Edwardes interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
The SPEAKER: Order, member! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a Government that is deadly serious about child abuse. This is a Government that had the political guts to introduce a Bill that the Opposition when in government never had the political guts to introduce. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members!
The SPEAKER: Order, members!
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