WA Premier meets South Hedland residents angry over child protection failures
Premier Cook visited South Hedland for the first time since announcing a child deaths inquest. But he met no affected families.
WA Premier Roger Cook visited South Hedland on Saturday. This was his first visit since announcing an inquest into three children's deaths by Margaret Hawke.
Residents asked when the department would take responsibility. Cook announced a $22 million MRI facility.
He met with staff but not with affected families. Child Protection Minister Jessica Stojkovski could not say how many caseworker positions in the Pilbara had been filled.
Reports showed that up to 15 children lived without supervision in a state home until September.
- $22 million
- MRI facility
- up to 15 in state home
- Unsupervised children
- 11 in the Pilbara region
- Caseworker vacancies
- 56 by WA Commissioner McGowan-Jones
- Recommendations from review
Why it mattersA government avoiding grieving families shows how serious accountability gaps still remain after a preventable tragedy.
AustraliaWA's child protection system faces scrutiny ahead of potential election, and South Hedland's vulnerable families await visible reform.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 1 h ago
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