CW: Some readers may find this story distressing.
Several children have reportedly been living unsupervised in a Port Hedland home, according to The Australian.
Last week, the publication reported that up to 15 young people—including the children of tenants renting the property from the Department of Housing and Works—were frequently staying at the South Hedland residence.
The parents regularly left the property for days at a time, leaving the children without adult supervision.
Reports indicate child protection workers were aware of the situation and had contained interviews with past employees and police who said staff were not doing their jobs properly.
Child Protection Minister Jessica Stojkovski flew into Port Hedland, on Monday, and departed the airport without taking questions from reporters.
In a written statement, Minister Stojkovski described the situation as “unacceptable”.
“It is unacceptable that children in Western Australia are living this way,” she said.
“No child should have their safety and wellbeing put at risk.”
She added that she was seeking “urgent answers”.
“Child protection is a complex issue and the department is continuing to work with other agencies in South Hedland to support these vulnerable families so no child is left behind,” the statement read.
This development follows allegations that Department of Child Protection staff in the Pilbara ignored warnings about the safety of Port Hedland mother Margaret Dale Hawke’s children prior to her murdering them in 2022.
The three children—aged 10, seven, and four months—were killed in their home by Ms Hawke after they were turned away from a women’s refuge.
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
13YARN: 13 92 76
