Senate debates Questions without Notice
Indigenous Australians: Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price NT, Country Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Skills and Training
2:13 pm
My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator McCarthy. Last month, Australians heard the horrific story of Dorothy Papertalk, an Aboriginal grandmother from Port Hedland who repeatedly pleaded with Western Australian child protection authorities to intervene to protect her three grandchildren. Her warnings were not acted on. Her three grandchildren were subsequently murdered by their mother. Now we have disturbing reports of vulnerable children in South Hedland allegedly living without proper adult supervision and exposed to drugs, violence and dangerous conditions. Senior Nyamal Pitjikarli elder Doris Eaton has described the situation as kids 'defending themselves from meth and marijuana and violence and dangerous men who want to take advantage of them'. Minister, in the face of these repeated warnings about vulnerable Indigenous children, what action have you personally taken to ensure these children are safe?
Malarndirri McCarthy NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians
2:14 pm
Thank you, Senator Nampijinpa Price, for the question. It has been incredibly distressing to see the stories that we've seen in Western Australia. It is too familiar a story, really, in so many families right across Australia, and certainly not just with First Nations children as well. What I can inform the Senate is that I have reached out to the WA government. I have sought a direct briefing with the minister responsible in the Western Australian government, and I hope to have that briefing this afternoon. It is important to hear from the Western Australian government, given that they do have responsibility for the care and protection of children in the state of Western Australia, and I am more than happy to inform the Senate once I am briefed, in terms of the Minister for Child Protection's role.
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price NT, Country Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Skills and Training
2:15 pm
Minister, senior elder Doris Eaton has made clear that children cannot simply be left in homes where they are exposed to abuse, drugs and violence. Do you agree that, where authorities have evidence that a child is at risk of abuse, neglect or violence, the safety of that child must come first and authorities must intervene? And have you sought assurances from the Western Australian government that the children identified in South Hedland are now safe?
Malarndirri McCarthy NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians
As I said in my previous answer, that's exactly what I've done with the Western Australian government—I've sought that assurance, which is why I'll have the briefing this afternoon, Senator Nampijinpa Price. But may I just say this to the Senate: every child in this country—black, white or any other colour—deserves to be safe. It is important that every state and territory government and every state and territory minister responsible in these areas ensures the protection of children.
What I will add in terms of the Aboriginal community-controlled sector is that they must also be involved in the work that is occurring with First Nations children, and we have seen responses, and I have received calls from that sector as well, wanting to ensure the safety of all children.
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price NT, Country Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Skills and Training
2:16 pm
This is urgent and there's too much failure, evidently. Minister, have you personally spoken with Dorothy Papertalk, sought a full explanation from the Western Australian government about the failures preceding the murder of her three grandchildren and investigated the current allegations concerning vulnerable children in South Hedland?
Malarndirri McCarthy NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians
Again, I will get the information that's required in terms of the Western Australian government's responsibility, and what I will do—
Michaelia Cash WA, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
The answer is no.
Malarndirri McCarthy NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians
Hang on a minute. Excuse me. I am trying to respond. This is a really serious matter, Senator Cash. You may not want to know and you may not care—
Have you been to Port Hedland? You are the senator for Western Australia. In fact, how many of you from Western Australia have been there to Port Hedland and been with the families? And how many of you have gone to the Western Australian government to actually seek the briefing that I am going to receive this afternoon? Not one of you. As senators for Western Australia, none of you have shown any interest. Not one of you have even contacted my office.
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price NT, Country Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Skills and Training
My point of order goes to relevance.
Sue Lines President
As you are well aware, when there are interjections, the minister is entitled to take them.
Malarndirri McCarthy NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians
I would just remind all senators that each and every one of you is also responsible to do the right thing in the Senate.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Opposition Senators:
Opposition senators interjecting—
Malarndirri McCarthy NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians
I have said I have sought a briefing. You don't want to know, and I'll be interested to see in the next sittings whether any of the WA senators have gone—
Helen Polley Tasmania, Australian Labor Party
President, point of order. I am struggling to hear the minister. There's a lot of disorderly behaviour.
Sue Lines President
Thank you, Senator Polley. I have called the Senate to order. Minister, had you concluded your answer? Time had expired; there was four seconds there.