Kate Chaney MP condemns WA Government’s handling of Banksia Hill (17 November 2022)

Kate Chaney MP says WA’s juvenile justice system is failing on every front and condemns the treatment of children at Banksia Hill.  

"I call on the McGowan Government to stop dragging its feet and act.  As a civilised society we should be able to provide adequate rehabilitative, therapeutic care to some of our most troubled children,” Ms Chaney said. 

The fact that not one government minister, including Corrective Services Minister Bill Johnston has visited Banksia hill since February attests to the lack of leadership on this issue. 

While Ms Chaney acknowledged the Premier has organised a summit on Wednesday 23 November, with more than 74% of juvenile detainees Aboriginal, she questions why Aboriginal organisations have not been invited to the table.   

“I challenge the Premier to work with and be led by the Indigenous community to resolve this issue. 

“I also urge WA Labor to further invest in early intervention programs to keep children, particularly First Nations children, out of the juvenile justice system in the first place. 

“If the Premier wants to keep the community safe, this is not the way to do it.  We need to surround these kids with the support they need to give them every chance to change their future path. 

“Our current approach is not making the community safer – we are turning troubled kids into hardened criminals.  Experts I have spoken to all agree, including Professor Fiona Stanley, Denis Reynolds and Megan Krakouer,” Ms Chaney said.