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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 242 asked in the Legislative Council on 23 March 2022 by Hon Nick Goiran

Parliament: 41 Session: 1

COMMUNITIES — INDIGENOUS PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES REPORT

242. Hon NICK GOIRAN to the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Child Protection:

I refer to the article in The West Australian titled ''Department of Communities failed to follow up on plans to create working group to address 'racism' report'', which reported that the senior working group intended to respond to the damning Indigenous Psychological Services report by Dr Tracy Westerman in 2019 was never formed.

(1) Has this senior working group now been established?

(2) If no to (1), why not?

(3) If yes to (1), when did this occur?

(4) Further to (3), who are the members of the group?

Hon SUE ELLERY replied:

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.

(1)–(4) Since receiving the Indigenous Psychological Services report in 2019, the Department of Communities leadership team has continued to focus on improving the cultural capability of the agency and ensuring that the report recommendations are considered in service and operational improvements. A significant body of work has been undertaken by Communities across a range of programs and initiatives that address the recommendations provided. The Aboriginal cultural capability reform program, published on 15 February 2022, outlines the actions Communities is undertaking to address the issues highlighted and continue the department's cultural reform journey. Communities recognises that cultural change is required across the whole agency, not just in relation to Child Protection Services. A dedicated project team within Communities Aboriginal Outcomes division is leading the implementation of key actions within the agency's Aboriginal cultural competency reform program.