AT-RISK CHILDREN — CARNARVON
432. Dr D.J. HONEY to the Minister for Child Protection:
I have a supplementary question.
How does the minister respond to the fact that police in Carnarvon report that
they are frustrated that they do not have suitable accommodation for children
at night?
Ms S.F.
McGURK replied:
I am sitting next to the police
minister and he said to me that that is not true; that is not what police are
saying. It is true that child protection staff are not rostered on 24/7 in the
same way that police are. We do not have the same rostering system or the same 24-hour coverage in terms of people being
located in offices and available 24/7, but if the police or any other authority has concerns about children after
hours, they can contact the crisis care line and staff will be contacted
and make themselves available in Carnarvon, or anywhere else, to assist police,
shire authorities or, in fact, even members of the community. Those options are
available and are frequently used in regional areas.
Distinguished Visitor —
Wendy Duncan
The
SPEAKER: I would also like to acknowledge another former member and
former Deputy Speaker in Wendy Duncan, who is in the public gallery. Welcome,
Wendy.