Media Statements: Statements http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/Date Descending.aspx RSS feed for the Statements list. Department of the Premier and Cabinet Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:35:16 GMT Windows SharePoint Services V3 RSS Generator 60 Media Statements: Statements /_layouts/images/homepage.gif http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/Date Descending.aspx Action plan boosts services for at-risk children and young people in Kununurra http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132779 Content:

Vulnerable children and young people in Kununurra will benefit from a comprehensive plan to keep them off the streets at night.

 

Child Protection Minister Robyn McSweeney today announced the five-point plan designed to protect children and young people affected by long-standing social issues in Kununurra.

 

“We know homelessness and unemployment are significant risk factors and the challenges facing the children and young people of Kununurra are alarming,” Mrs McSweeney said.

 

“The young people of Kununurra are disproportionately exposed to neglect, boredom and disadvantage. This plan aims to support, educate and protect this vulnerable section of our community.”

 

The Minister warned it would not be an easy problem to solve, but the plan would operate collaboratively across agencies and was intended to ensure children and young people had access to safe and culturally-sensitive services and accommodation.

 

“We want to provide an environment where they can build confidence and be educated within protective behaviours,” she said.

 

The five-point interagency action plan includes the establishment of:

 

·      Operation CAIN (Children are Important Now) to provide early intervention for at-risk families experiencing alcohol, neglect or domestic violence issues. The program will refer families and individuals to compulsory income management, ParentSupport,

Strong Families and other support services

·      the Waringarri ‘Just Chilling’ and Youth Safe Space, to provide a mid-to-late evening child safe environment for children and young people in Kununurra.  Funding of $62,000 per annum for three years was made available for this program through the State Government’s WA Family Foundation

·      the Safe Places and Emergency Foster Care Partnership with a local indigenous organisation, to establish enhanced community carer options for emergency placements and accommodation for individual young people in Kununurra

·      two new four-bed group homes in Kununurra and Wyndham

·      a bail hostel, in partnership with the Department for Corrective Services, to provide emergency accommodation for young people.

 

Mrs McSweeney said the first of these services would start operation in early 2010.

 

Minister's office - 9222 8950 
 
Date: 16/11/2009
Minister: McSweeney
Portfolio: Child Protection
Region: All
]]> Stratford, Pamela Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:21:29 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132779 Police and DCP workers unite to combat family and domestic violence http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132783 Content:

The Department of Child Protection and WA Police have formed a partnership to combat the incidence of family and domestic violence in Western Australia.

 

Child Protection Minister Robyn McSweeney said while visiting Kununurra, that the partnership aimed to address the occurrence and subsequent effects of family and domestic violence.

 

“From early 2010, senior field workers from the Department of Child Protection (DCP) and staff from the family protection unit of WA Police will co-locate at the DCP’s district office,” Mrs McSweeney said.

 

“This co-location provides a specialised and integrated response in situations of family and domestic violence in Kununurra and other regional centres.

 

“Both agencies have different mandates in terms of their roles and functions, but there is a strong need to integrate policing and child protection responses given the link between family and domestic violence and the abuse of children.”

 

The Minister said the aim of the collaborative approach was to prevent child abuse in the context of family and domestic violence.

 

“This is achievable through improved information-sharing and resource-sharing to develop effective risk and safety management plans for situations and individuals,” she said.

 

This announcement follows the successful implementation of the co-location programs in metropolitan Perth. In addition to Kununurra, the new sites identified for expansion include:

 

·         Albany

·         Bunbury

·         Northam

·         Kalgoorlie-Boulder

·         Geraldton

·         Mandurah

·         South Hedland

·         Broome.

 

“We hope the co-location model will encourage families and individuals to access services to prevent further family and domestic violence,” Mrs McSweeney said.

 

Minister's office - 9222 8950
Date: 16/11/2009
Minister: McSweeney
Portfolio: Child Protection
Region: All
]]> Stratford, Pamela Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:22:40 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132783 Minister urges parents to beware of danger in Bali plan for schoolies http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132785 Content:

Child Protection Minister Robyn McSweeney has warned parents that student plans to spend the traditional ‘schoolies’ week in Bali was fraught with peril.

 

Mrs McSweeney urged parents to consider the very serious danger of allowing their   children to travel to Bali rather than more traditional holiday destinations such as Rottnest and Dunsborough.

 

The Minister’s warning followed reports that many students were considering cheap holidays in Bali as an option for schoolie week.

 

“While Bali and other cheap overseas holiday destinations may seem like an attractive option, parents and students need to take account of the very different cultural and legal systems that are in place outside of Western Australia,” she said.

 

“We have seen examples of Australians caught in the Indonesian legal system and the results of those cases are not recommended for anyone.

 

“Parents need to know that other countries have very different legal systems and in some cases behaviour that would attract relatively minor penalties in WA can have very serious consequences in a place such as Bali.”

 

Mrs McSweeney also urged parents to reflect on the difficulties in travelling overseas if their children got into medical, financial or legal difficulty.

 

“Schoolies week is a time when many students experiment with a variety of behaviours which can potentially have devastating consequences,” the Minister said.

 

“It is easier for parents to get to family members in trouble and to negotiate legal and medical situations if necessary, those family members are only a few hours drive or a ferry ride away rather than an international flight away in time and distance.

 

“Everyone wants students to enjoy this time and to experience the rite of passage that is represented by schoolies week. But we want this to occur in a safe environment.”

 

Minister's office: 9222 8950

Date: 16/11/2009
Minister: McSweeney
Portfolio: Child Protection
Region: All
]]> Arbouin, Shane Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:08:02 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132785 Minister stops door closing on abused women's support service http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132768 Content:

The Women’s Legal Referral Service, which operates in Northbridge and provides support and legal advice to women trying to escape abusive relationships has been saved.

 

An urgent injection of $21,500 in State Government funding has stopped the not-for-profit service from closing due to lack of funds.

 

Women’s Interests Minister Robyn McSweeney said she was happy to announce a one-off emergency grant of $21,500 to tide the service over until hoped-for additional Law Society funding was made available next January.

 

“South Perth MLA John McGrath drew my attention to this important issue and I’m glad to provide much needed funding through the Department for Communities grants program,” Mrs McSweeney said.

 

“It is vital that women who feel powerless to leave abusive relationships are given the chance to access counselling and support services and to obtain professional advice that helps secure their legal rights.”

 

Mrs McSweeney said that in the past two years the Women’s Legal Referral Service had helped about 600 Western Australian women in crisis.

 

Women’s Legal Referral Service project co-ordinator Di Annear said the organisation was grateful and relieved that the Minister had intervened with additional funds.

 

“It is wonderful to know that we can continue to operate over the Christmas holiday period, which is always a difficult time to deal with domestic violence issues,” Mrs Annear said.

 

Minister's office - 9222 8950

Date: 11/11/2009
Minister: McSweeney
Portfolio: Women's Interests
Region: Northern Metro & Perth CBD;Eastern Metropolitan;South Eastern Suburbs;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs
]]> Arbouin, Shane Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:49:47 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132768 New domestic violence program gives at risk women another option http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132757 Content:

More than 90 representatives from the State’s domestic violence and outreach services gathered today to discuss the development of new Western Australian domestic and family violence responses.

 

The Safe at Home forum, a joint initiative hosted by the Department for Child Protection and the Women’s Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services, was officially opened by Child Protection Minister Robyn McSweeney.

 

“Often women leave their homes to escape domestic violence and find themselves in unstable housing, dislocated from support networks and employment, and have their children’s education disrupted,” Mrs McSweeney said.

 

“The Safe at Home model provides another option for women and children, based on an individual assessment of risk and safety.”

 

The program provides specialist workers to assess the safety and support needs of women and children to stay in their own home, and brokerage funds to stabilise housing and increase security.

 

“Important aspects of the Safe at Home program include safety planning; security upgrades to victim’s homes; court support; liaison with police and other services; referrals to legal advice and counselling; and casework to address financial and other issues,” the Minister said.

 

“In addition, a Domestic Violence Outreach Program will provide five workers in rural and remote locations including Peel, Pilbara, Murchison, Great Southern and Goldfields.”

 

The Safe at Home forum also featured an address by visiting keynote speaker Ludo McFerran, who provided an update on a range of Safe at Home programs in other jurisdictions.

 

Minister's office: 9222 8950
Date: 10/11/2009
Minister: McSweeney
Portfolio: Child Protection
Region: All
]]> Antartis, Jill Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:48:48 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132757 Amendments to close Working with Children Card loopholes http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132725 Content:

Child Protection Minister Robyn McSweeney today announced amendments to the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004 that aimed to close current loopholes related to Working with Children Cards.

 

The amendments would strengthen the current Act and seek to exclude people with criminal histories that indicate they may harm a child, from starting or continuing child-related work, regardless if it is paid or voluntary.

 

“I made a commitment prior to and during the 2008 election campaign that amendments were necessary to the Act as they would address key issues that have arisen since the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act came into effect on January 1, 2006,” Mrs McSweeney said.

 

There will be additional sexual offences added to current Class 1 Schedule offences, including:

 

·         sexual penetration without consent

·         aggravated sexual penetration without consent

·         sexual coercion

·         aggravated sexual coercion.

 

committed when a child is under the age of 13 and the offender is an adult.

 

“These offences were not included when the Act came into effect in 2006 and it was obvious they should have been as they are offences that have a devastating and lasting impact on victims.

 

“The amendments to the Act will be before State Parliament this month and will bring the child into central focus.  Where people who have committed offences of risk that target children, they will be denied access to a Working with Children Card.”

 

Additional improvements will also see the capacity to receive and act on notifications by the Police Commissioner of non-scheduled offences, where persons have a change in criminal record and can no longer be undertaking child-related work. This new amendment seeks to cancel the card and create penalties if not returned.

 

The Minister said the director of the Working with Children Unit would require a person who was due to be issued a negative notice to advise why they should not be issued with a negative notice.

 

This submission would be taken into account by the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) if the applicant appealed the negative notice, even if offences were more than 20-years-old. The offence committed would be taken into account by SAT, together with a victim impact statement, to ascertain what impact the offence would have on a child if the applicant re-offended.

 

Minister's office - 9222 8950
 
Date: 3/11/2009
Minister: McSweeney
Portfolio: Child Protection
Region: All
]]> Arbouin, Shane Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:27:50 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132725 Seniors Week 2009 acknowledges contributions to State http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132679 Content:

Seniors and Volunteering Minister Robyn McSweeney today encouraged Western Australian seniors to be active throughout Seniors Week 2009, which celebrates its 24th year and acknowledges seniors for their contribution to local communities.

 

“There are more than 150 Seniors Week activities happening across the State until November 1.   In Perth, seniors can enjoy free talks on finance, travel, health, safety and family history at the State Library,” Mrs McSweeney said.

 

“They can also get active at Have a Go Day, try a gardening and do-it-yourself workshop at participating Mitre 10 stores or enjoy a discounted movie at their local cinema.  On October 30 they can even visit the Stirling Naval Base at Garden Island for an historical tour.

 

“Seniors now also enjoy free public transport in off-peak hours in the metropolitan area and some regional centres, plus have reciprocal transport arrangements with other States and Territories.  During Seniors Week, seniors can also enjoy popular CAT trails in Perth and Fremantle.

 

“The State Government is committed to addressing priority issues for WA seniors and has demonstrated this with the introduction of many initiatives during the past year, such as the Safety and Security Rebate and the Cost of Living Rebate for Seniors Card holders.”

 

The Minister said eligible Seniors Card holders received some of the most generous discounts in Australia and regional pensioners continued to benefit from the Country Age Pension Fuel Card.

 

“I am proud of this Government’s ongoing commitment to seniors, which includes supporting and funding a number of activities across WA during Seniors Week,” she said.

 

“Seniors Week highlights the unique lifestyle we enjoy, the activities we take part in and organisations we belong to.  It also acknowledges the many selfless contributions our seniors make that enrich the lives of those around them.”

 

Activities being held to celebrate Seniors Week 2009 are listed at the WA Seniors Card website at http://www.seniorscard.wa.gov.au

 

Minister's office  - 9222 895
Date: 25/10/2009
Minister: McSweeney
Portfolio: Seniors and Volunteering
Region: All
]]> Antartis, Jill Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:42:08 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132679 Minister announces winners of Seniors Awards 2009 http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132680 Content:

A 78-year-old Lathlain woman, who is a dedicated volunteer and a seniors’ advocate, has been named the Burswood Western Australian Senior of the Year.

 

Seniors and Volunteering Minister Robyn McSweeney said Maggie Richardson was a fantastic role model and spokesperson for seniors.

 

“As a founding volunteer member of the Positive Ageing Foundation Australia, Maggie has actively engaged with the media to give seniors a voice and promote views on positive ageing,” Mrs McSweeney said.

 

“Maggie also uses her public speaking skills to give voluntary talks to other seniors, discussing issues such as depression and crime prevention.

 

“For 13 years, Maggie has been a voluntary tour guide for Rottnest Island and Perth Zoo.  She has also been a volunteer and board member for the Arthritis Foundation for six years.

 

“Maggie is an inspiration and her dedication has given seniors a voice that resonates clearly in the community.”

 

Ms Richardson was chosen from a field of outstanding people from throughout WA who were nominated for the 2009 WA Seniors Awards.  The winners were announced at a ceremony this afternoon.

 

“The calibre of nominations was extremely high this year, with people from all walks of life represented,” the Minister said.

 

“All of our individual finalists are inspirational people who often work behind the scenes for the benefit of others.

 

“They refuse to conform to the stereotypical image of seniors and they should be applauded.”

 

Journalists and photographers were also recognised for their positive portrayal of seniors in the media, through the Deborah Kirwan Media Awards. The winner of the print award was Mark Irving from The West Australian; Dominique Menegaldo from the Stirling Times was the winner of the photography award; and the winner for electronic media was Liz Pye from the Curtin FM afternoon show.

 

Minister's office  - 9222 8950
Date: 25/10/2009
Minister: McSweeney
Portfolio: Seniors and Volunteering
Region: All
]]> Antartis, Jill Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:44:38 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132680 Launch of Aboriginal infant nutrition kit to kick off Children’s Week http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132654 Content:

To coincide with the start of Children’s Week 2009, Community Services Minister Robyn McSweeney launched a resource kit to assist Aboriginal parents with the importance of good nutrition and ongoing health requirements for their young children.

 

The nutrition resource kit: Strong Babies - Solid Start Taste Bubs, was developed by the Meerilinga Young Children’s Foundation Inc (Meerilinga) in consultation with Aboriginal families and health professionals across Western Australia.

 

The kit will be used by Department for Communities’ Best Start coordinators and community health care workers and consists of an educational DVD, facilitators manual, information on childhood healthy eating habits and visual flipcharts.

 

“Consultations held recently with Aboriginal families in Broome, Port Hedland, Albany and Kalgoorlie-Boulder found many parents did not have access to culturally appropriate education on the nutritional needs of infants transitioning from breastfeeding to solid foods,” Mrs McSweeney said.

 

“Good nutrition is the key to ensuring a child has the best start to life and I am pleased this new kit will help explain healthy food choices to Aboriginal parents while recognising the cultural and nutritional value of incorporating local foods into a child’s diet.

 

“I believe this new resource kit will provide culturally appropriate support to Aboriginal families needing support in the early stages of their child’s development.

 

Children’s Week runs from October 23 to November 1 and officially opens with a Family FunSafe Day, organised by Meerilinga, at Whiteman Park on October 25. The event marks one of 200 activities happening across the State to celebrate the right of children to enjoy their childhood.

To access more information about Department for Communities supported Children’s Week activities visit http://www.meerilinga.org.au or phone 9489 4022.

 

Minister's office - 9222 8950
 
Date: 20/10/2009
Minister: McSweeney
Portfolio: Community Services
Region: All
]]> Antartis, Jill Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:18:49 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132654 Early signs Income Management trials are a success http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132628 Content:

Child Protection Minister Robyn McSweeney today outlined early success measures of Income Management trials in Western Australia since the program was introduced in late 2008.

 

To date, a total of 426 families have voluntarily taken part in the program, with 193 families completing the program. Currently 233 families are voluntarily participating in the trial.

 

Additionally, a total of 86 families to date have been referred by the Department for Child Protection, with 15 families completing the program. Currently 71 families are on income management following referral.

 

The trial is part of an ongoing collaboration between the State and Federal governments in an effort to work with families who are in receipt of certain Commonwealth welfare payments, to ensure they manage their income to provide necessities for their children.

 

“I am pleased to see the positive impact this trial is having in the communities and districts currently participating. I will however, continue to strongly lobby Federal Government counterparts to approve additional districts as we are seeing benefits not just for families participating but also for the immediate communities,” Mrs McSweeney said.

 

“Families who have been through the program and now exited the system, have reported their positive experiences to the Department for Child Protection even if they were initially reluctant to participate.

 

“The stories are the same regardless if families had participated voluntarily or if they were referred to the program. Income management has assisted in reunification planning, reduced hostility within families regarding how welfare payments are spent, assisted to reduce outstanding debt and helped families manage their ongoing bills.

 

“The simple fact is, this program is a valuable tool to help families put food in their cupboards, pay their rent, be able to save for their future, empower people to be in control of their finances and reduce domestic tensions fuelled by drugs and alcohol.”

 

Minister's office  - 9222 8950
Date: 16/10/2009
Minister: McSweeney
Portfolio: Child Protection
Region: All
]]> Antartis, Jill Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:28:51 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132628