❓ Opposition questions the Minister's $1M initiative targeting at-risk Aboriginal children in Perth, arguing for broader regional support. The Minister defends the program, highlighting its targeted approach and criticising the Opposition's record.
AnsweredQoN 49Legislative Assembly
Asked
9 March 2004
Member
Portfolio
Community Development, Women’s
Interests, Seniors and Youth
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the minister’s media statement of 7 March in which she announced a $1 million initiative to target at-risk Aboriginal children and their families in Perth’s metropolitan youth hot spots. With more than 60 per cent of the Aboriginal population residing in regional Western Australia, why has the minister not extended this initiative to the youth and their families in need in hot spots around regional Western Australia, such as Mullewa, Geraldton, Esperance, Moora, Mt Barker, Northam, Kellerberrin and Tambellup? Ms S.M. McHALE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for his question because it allows me to clear up some of the utter nonsense that has been said by the Opposition and reported in the media about this very positive initiative. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a very practical, targeted and positive announcement, and has been recognised by Mission Australia as a very good response to not only the Gordon inquiry but also the information and knowledge that we are gaining from Northbridge. This initiative has been referred to by the Opposition as a token effort to grab headlines. It has been referred to as glitz and glitter. Well, glitz and glitter this is not. This is a very targeted program working in five metropolitan areas. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This program is working with very difficult families; the sort of thing that a good Government needs to be doing. The member for Nedlands has been pushing the line, amongst others, that it is a response to World Vision’s program. That is utter nonsense. Mr C.J. Barnett: World Vision is meant to work in Third World nations, not in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let me tell members that the positions were advertised - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question because it allows me to clear up some of the utter nonsense that has been said by the Opposition and reported in the media about this very positive initiative. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a very practical, targeted and positive announcement, and has been recognised by Mission Australia as a very good response to not only the Gordon inquiry but also the information and knowledge that we are gaining from Northbridge. This initiative has been referred to by the Opposition as a token effort to grab headlines. It has been referred to as glitz and glitter. Well, glitz and glitter this is not. This is a very targeted program working in five metropolitan areas. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This program is working with very difficult families; the sort of thing that a good Government needs to be doing. The member for Nedlands has been pushing the line, amongst others, that it is a response to World Vision’s program. That is utter nonsense. Mr C.J. Barnett: World Vision is meant to work in Third World nations, not in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let me tell members that the positions were advertised - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
I thank the member for his question because it allows me to clear up some of the utter nonsense that has been said by the Opposition and reported in the media about this very positive initiative. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a very practical, targeted and positive announcement, and has been recognised by Mission Australia as a very good response to not only the Gordon inquiry but also the information and knowledge that we are gaining from Northbridge. This initiative has been referred to by the Opposition as a token effort to grab headlines. It has been referred to as glitz and glitter. Well, glitz and glitter this is not. This is a very targeted program working in five metropolitan areas. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This program is working with very difficult families; the sort of thing that a good Government needs to be doing. The member for Nedlands has been pushing the line, amongst others, that it is a response to World Vision’s program. That is utter nonsense. Mr C.J. Barnett: World Vision is meant to work in Third World nations, not in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let me tell members that the positions were advertised - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a very practical, targeted and positive announcement, and has been recognised by Mission Australia as a very good response to not only the Gordon inquiry but also the information and knowledge that we are gaining from Northbridge. This initiative has been referred to by the Opposition as a token effort to grab headlines. It has been referred to as glitz and glitter. Well, glitz and glitter this is not. This is a very targeted program working in five metropolitan areas. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This program is working with very difficult families; the sort of thing that a good Government needs to be doing. The member for Nedlands has been pushing the line, amongst others, that it is a response to World Vision’s program. That is utter nonsense. Mr C.J. Barnett: World Vision is meant to work in Third World nations, not in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let me tell members that the positions were advertised - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a very practical, targeted and positive announcement, and has been recognised by Mission Australia as a very good response to not only the Gordon inquiry but also the information and knowledge that we are gaining from Northbridge. This initiative has been referred to by the Opposition as a token effort to grab headlines. It has been referred to as glitz and glitter. Well, glitz and glitter this is not. This is a very targeted program working in five metropolitan areas. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This program is working with very difficult families; the sort of thing that a good Government needs to be doing. The member for Nedlands has been pushing the line, amongst others, that it is a response to World Vision’s program. That is utter nonsense. Mr C.J. Barnett: World Vision is meant to work in Third World nations, not in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let me tell members that the positions were advertised - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a very practical, targeted and positive announcement, and has been recognised by Mission Australia as a very good response to not only the Gordon inquiry but also the information and knowledge that we are gaining from Northbridge. This initiative has been referred to by the Opposition as a token effort to grab headlines. It has been referred to as glitz and glitter. Well, glitz and glitter this is not. This is a very targeted program working in five metropolitan areas. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This program is working with very difficult families; the sort of thing that a good Government needs to be doing. The member for Nedlands has been pushing the line, amongst others, that it is a response to World Vision’s program. That is utter nonsense. Mr C.J. Barnett: World Vision is meant to work in Third World nations, not in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let me tell members that the positions were advertised - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This program is working with very difficult families; the sort of thing that a good Government needs to be doing. The member for Nedlands has been pushing the line, amongst others, that it is a response to World Vision’s program. That is utter nonsense. Mr C.J. Barnett: World Vision is meant to work in Third World nations, not in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let me tell members that the positions were advertised - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This program is working with very difficult families; the sort of thing that a good Government needs to be doing. The member for Nedlands has been pushing the line, amongst others, that it is a response to World Vision’s program. That is utter nonsense. Mr C.J. Barnett: World Vision is meant to work in Third World nations, not in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let me tell members that the positions were advertised - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Ms S.M. McHALE: This program is working with very difficult families; the sort of thing that a good Government needs to be doing. The member for Nedlands has been pushing the line, amongst others, that it is a response to World Vision’s program. That is utter nonsense. Mr C.J. Barnett: World Vision is meant to work in Third World nations, not in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let me tell members that the positions were advertised - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Mr C.J. Barnett: World Vision is meant to work in Third World nations, not in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let me tell members that the positions were advertised - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let me tell members that the positions were advertised - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let me tell members that the positions were advertised - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Ms S.M. McHALE: Let me tell members that the positions were advertised - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for his question because it allows me to clear up some of the utter nonsense that has been said by the Opposition and reported in the media about this very positive initiative. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a very practical, targeted and positive announcement, and has been recognised by Mission Australia as a very good response to not only the Gordon inquiry but also the information and knowledge that we are gaining from Northbridge. This initiative has been referred to by the Opposition as a token effort to grab headlines. It has been referred to as glitz and glitter. Well, glitz and glitter this is not. This is a very targeted program working in five metropolitan areas. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This program is working with very difficult families; the sort of thing that a good Government needs to be doing. The member for Nedlands has been pushing the line, amongst others, that it is a response to World Vision’s program. That is utter nonsense. Mr C.J. Barnett: World Vision is meant to work in Third World nations, not in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let me tell members that the positions were advertised - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
I thank the member for his question because it allows me to clear up some of the utter nonsense that has been said by the Opposition and reported in the media about this very positive initiative. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a very practical, targeted and positive announcement, and has been recognised by Mission Australia as a very good response to not only the Gordon inquiry but also the information and knowledge that we are gaining from Northbridge. This initiative has been referred to by the Opposition as a token effort to grab headlines. It has been referred to as glitz and glitter. Well, glitz and glitter this is not. This is a very targeted program working in five metropolitan areas. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This program is working with very difficult families; the sort of thing that a good Government needs to be doing. The member for Nedlands has been pushing the line, amongst others, that it is a response to World Vision’s program. That is utter nonsense. Mr C.J. Barnett: World Vision is meant to work in Third World nations, not in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let me tell members that the positions were advertised - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a very practical, targeted and positive announcement, and has been recognised by Mission Australia as a very good response to not only the Gordon inquiry but also the information and knowledge that we are gaining from Northbridge. This initiative has been referred to by the Opposition as a token effort to grab headlines. It has been referred to as glitz and glitter. Well, glitz and glitter this is not. This is a very targeted program working in five metropolitan areas. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This program is working with very difficult families; the sort of thing that a good Government needs to be doing. The member for Nedlands has been pushing the line, amongst others, that it is a response to World Vision’s program. That is utter nonsense. Mr C.J. Barnett: World Vision is meant to work in Third World nations, not in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let me tell members that the positions were advertised - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a very practical, targeted and positive announcement, and has been recognised by Mission Australia as a very good response to not only the Gordon inquiry but also the information and knowledge that we are gaining from Northbridge. This initiative has been referred to by the Opposition as a token effort to grab headlines. It has been referred to as glitz and glitter. Well, glitz and glitter this is not. This is a very targeted program working in five metropolitan areas. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This program is working with very difficult families; the sort of thing that a good Government needs to be doing. The member for Nedlands has been pushing the line, amongst others, that it is a response to World Vision’s program. That is utter nonsense. Mr C.J. Barnett: World Vision is meant to work in Third World nations, not in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let me tell members that the positions were advertised - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a very practical, targeted and positive announcement, and has been recognised by Mission Australia as a very good response to not only the Gordon inquiry but also the information and knowledge that we are gaining from Northbridge. This initiative has been referred to by the Opposition as a token effort to grab headlines. It has been referred to as glitz and glitter. Well, glitz and glitter this is not. This is a very targeted program working in five metropolitan areas. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This program is working with very difficult families; the sort of thing that a good Government needs to be doing. The member for Nedlands has been pushing the line, amongst others, that it is a response to World Vision’s program. That is utter nonsense. Mr C.J. Barnett: World Vision is meant to work in Third World nations, not in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let me tell members that the positions were advertised - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This program is working with very difficult families; the sort of thing that a good Government needs to be doing. The member for Nedlands has been pushing the line, amongst others, that it is a response to World Vision’s program. That is utter nonsense. Mr C.J. Barnett: World Vision is meant to work in Third World nations, not in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let me tell members that the positions were advertised - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
The SPEAKER: I call the member for Nedlands to order for the first time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This program is working with very difficult families; the sort of thing that a good Government needs to be doing. The member for Nedlands has been pushing the line, amongst others, that it is a response to World Vision’s program. That is utter nonsense. Mr C.J. Barnett: World Vision is meant to work in Third World nations, not in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let me tell members that the positions were advertised - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Ms S.M. McHALE: This program is working with very difficult families; the sort of thing that a good Government needs to be doing. The member for Nedlands has been pushing the line, amongst others, that it is a response to World Vision’s program. That is utter nonsense. Mr C.J. Barnett: World Vision is meant to work in Third World nations, not in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let me tell members that the positions were advertised - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Mr C.J. Barnett: World Vision is meant to work in Third World nations, not in Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let me tell members that the positions were advertised - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let me tell members that the positions were advertised - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
The SPEAKER: Order, members! Ms S.M. McHALE: Let me tell members that the positions were advertised - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Ms S.M. McHALE: Let me tell members that the positions were advertised - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first and second time. Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Ms S.M. McHALE: This is a desperate Opposition that realises that in government it did nothing to deal with these issues. I put on record that the positions were advertised in The West Australian on 21 February 2004, with applications closing yesterday. The response has been tremendous, with 350 to 400 inquiries. Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Mrs C.L. Edwardes: How many times have you announced this program? Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Ms S.M. McHALE: I will respond to that; just bear with me. This is an example of the utter nonsense that is being perpetrated. One hundred and five potential applicants attended an information session and we received 82 applications. The 14 workers will operate across the metropolitan area and will target very difficult families. The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
The other thing that has been said is that we are regurgitating another project or program that we introduced last year. That is the second lot of utter nonsense. This is a new program. Some people cannot get their heads around complex social problems, and the opposition members are a classic example. Let me tell opposition members, and, in particular, the regional members that other workers will be working on the ground with children who are at risk of sexual abuse. They will be targeting Katanning, Broome, Northam, Kalgoorlie, Mt Magnet, Marble Bar, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing, Warburton-Laverton as well as the metropolitan area. We are proud of our record. Those workers - Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Several members interjected. Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Ms S.M. McHALE: The problem with opposition members is that they are embarrassed by their lack of action on these social issues. Those members will be judged not by what they have done, because their record is appalling, and not by what they say, because nobody believes them. This Government has delivered in this area in a very systematic way.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.