❓ Mr. Watson asks the Premier when the Blaxell inquiry report into child abuse at several hostels will be released publicly. The Premier responds that the report is being examined and will be released soon, with consideration for victim privacy and potential prosecutions.
AnsweredQoN 398Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ST ANDREW'S
HOSTEL, KATANNING — ABUSE INQUIRY
398. Mr P.B. WATSON to the Premier:
On behalf of the member for Collie–Preston, I would
like to welcome the ladies from the Red Hat Society in Collie. They fitted in
very well with the red-nosed member for Collie–Preston when they had
lunch today!
Mr B.S. Wyatt : You
might have a red nose after this!
Withdrawal of Remark
Mr
B.J. GRYLLS : I think the member for Albany should withdraw that
slur! He should not be able to get away with that!
The SPEAKER : Member for
Albany.
Questions
without Notice Resumed
Mr P.B. WATSON : On
a more serious note, my question is to the Premier. I refer to the Blaxell
inquiry into child abuse, which was initiated after I raised serious concerns
about abuse and cover-ups at the highest levels at St Andrew's Hostel
in Katanning and which was also extended to inquire into similar allegations at
St Christopher's Hostel in Northam, Hardie House in South Hedland,
Craig House in Bunbury and the Narrogin Hostel. I ask on behalf of the victims,
when will this report be released publicly?
HOSTEL, KATANNING — ABUSE INQUIRY
398. Mr P.B. WATSON to the Premier:
On behalf of the member for Collie–Preston, I would
like to welcome the ladies from the Red Hat Society in Collie. They fitted in
very well with the red-nosed member for Collie–Preston when they had
lunch today!
Mr B.S. Wyatt : You
might have a red nose after this!
Withdrawal of Remark
Mr
B.J. GRYLLS : I think the member for Albany should withdraw that
slur! He should not be able to get away with that!
The SPEAKER : Member for
Albany.
Questions
without Notice Resumed
Mr P.B. WATSON : On
a more serious note, my question is to the Premier. I refer to the Blaxell
inquiry into child abuse, which was initiated after I raised serious concerns
about abuse and cover-ups at the highest levels at St Andrew's Hostel
in Katanning and which was also extended to inquire into similar allegations at
St Christopher's Hostel in Northam, Hardie House in South Hedland,
Craig House in Bunbury and the Narrogin Hostel. I ask on behalf of the victims,
when will this report be released publicly?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Albany for his question. Yes, the
government has received the report by Justice Blaxell. It is being examined within
government, as is quite proper, and it will go to cabinet in due course. It is
the intention of the government to then release it. We have to be conscious of
any prosecutions that might arise and we have to take —
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
The member opposite might be interested to know that one of the issues, which
is obviously a sensitive one, is protecting the privacy of victims who came
forward and gave evidence. To my understanding, the names of victims appear in
the report, so we have to deal with that and make sure that their privacy is
protected. Having said all that, I hope that the government will be in a
position to release the Blaxell report in the coming weeks. It will not be far
away.
government has received the report by Justice Blaxell. It is being examined within
government, as is quite proper, and it will go to cabinet in due course. It is
the intention of the government to then release it. We have to be conscious of
any prosecutions that might arise and we have to take —
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
The member opposite might be interested to know that one of the issues, which
is obviously a sensitive one, is protecting the privacy of victims who came
forward and gave evidence. To my understanding, the names of victims appear in
the report, so we have to deal with that and make sure that their privacy is
protected. Having said all that, I hope that the government will be in a
position to release the Blaxell report in the coming weeks. It will not be far
away.
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