Question Time

Child Protection

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:17): My question is to the Minister for Human Services regarding child safety. Minister, which government agency and which minister has the lead responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of children in this state?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:17): I thank the honourable member for his question. In terms of the children in care, that is clearly under the remit of the child protection department; however, the Department of Human Services has some role, for instance with the management of child safety environments, and we do have a number of programs in the family space which are operating to have the outcome that families are better able to nurture and raise their children. Everybody knows that any notifications about child safety issues need to be made to the CARL line.