Asylum seekers in detention - children's care
3330. Hon Alison Xamon to the Minister for Child Protection
I refer to the care and protection of children and young people who are currently in detention centres or places of alternative detention on Christmas Island and Leonora, and ask —
(1) What has the Minister done, or does she intend to do, to ensure SERCO staff and management are aware of Western Australia’s mandatory reporting obligations?
(2) Does the Department of Child Protection provide any services to parents of those children who need assistance with parenting and child care issues?
(3) Does the State Government have any intention of including these and other child protection issues in an MOU with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied:
(1) The Commonwealth Government is responsible for ensuring that the staff and management of its contracted services comply with all relevant legislation. Should the Commonwealth Government request assistance to raise the awareness of SERCO staff and management on the subject of Western Australia's mandatory reporting obligations (for the WA Police, Doctors, Nurses, and Teachers), the Department for Child Protection (the Department) will respond to the request.
(2) The Commonwealth Government is responsible for the provision of services to families in immigration detention. Where there are concerns for children in immigration detention, the Department will respond to requests for assistance.
(3) Yes.
(4) Not applicable.