Tuesday, 2 December 2025

 Renee HEATH (Eastern Victoria) (12:26): My question is to the Minister for Children. I refer to the case of Alex, reported on 23 November, who at just 12 years of age was placed by child protection in a house with teenagers connected with established local drug dealers. She was placed there by the state. She was coerced into drug use, became addicted and endured years of physical and mental abuse in residential care. Alex’s story is absolutely heartbreaking but not unique. Minister, can you guarantee right now that no child in state care is currently placed in a household or facility with known connections to drug use or exploitation?

 Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:27): I thank Dr Heath for her question and congratulate her on her new responsibilities. At the outset, though, I would remind the chamber that children who are in our child protection system are in extremely vulnerable circumstances. They are there often as a result of some form of trauma or abuse, and there are very clear protections in the legislation for their identity. For the same reason I would not comment on individual matters in this house, I would also ask that those from the opposition benches, when they pose questions, afford those children the same rights and protections as the legislation does, which is about ensuring first and foremost their safety.

Can I also assure the house, as I have assured the house previously, that the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing guidelines are very clear that there is a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to drugs within a residential care unit. The department is also very clear with our community service organisation partners that there is no place in residential care homes for substance use, and the matters that are alleged by those opposite insofar as they relate to systemic issues – because I would not comment on individual issues – are matters that are covered by those policies that ensure that the homes are places where there are no illicit drugs allowed –

Renee Heath: On a point of order, President, just on relevance, the question was very clear: can the minister guarantee right now that no child in state care is currently placed in a household or facility with known connections to drug use or exploitation? I ask you to bring the minister back to answering the question.

The PRESIDENT: I believe the minister has been relevant, and I will call her back to the question.

Lizzie BLANDTHORN: I have been indeed very specific that there is a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to substance use in homes. I am advised that CSOs, inclusive of those providing residential care, are required to comply with the guidelines for community care and the drug and alcohol sector. They include no illicit drugs being allowed on premises, all children and young people with substance –

Members interjecting.

Lizzie BLANDTHORN: President, I think it is evident to the house that I am of little voice today, and it is very difficult to yell over the top of those opposite.

The PRESIDENT: Can I call the house to order.

Lizzie BLANDTHORN: As I have said, I am advised that CSOs, inclusive of those providing residential care, are required to comply with those guidelines: that (1) no illicit drugs are allowed on premises; (2) all children and young people with substance use issues must be referred to drug and alcohol treatment services; (3) children and young people are not permitted to have any non-prescribed inhalants in their possession or use such inhalants in residential care facilities; (4) strategies relying on passive observation of clients using substances are not permitted; (5) CSOs are expected to do everything reasonable and consistent within safe work practices to stop young people from using non-prescribed inhalants, to remove inhaling implements as soon as possible, and to reinforce that using non-prescribed inhalants is not permitted; and (6) in situations where children and young – (Time expired)

 Renee HEATH (Eastern Victoria) (12:31): I thank the minister for her response. In 2023 the Commissioner for Children and Young People reported that vulnerable children in residential care were continuing to be harmed by organised opportunistic sexual exploitation. Two years after the Out of Sight inquiry made urgent recommendations to tackle it, the commission’s 2024–25 report confirms continuing, and I quote, ‘alarming levels of sexual exploitation of children and young people in care’. Minister, it has been over four years since those urgent recommendations were made. When will you fully implement them?

 Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:31): This appears to be another whole substantive question, and it is impossible to do it justice in 57 seconds. Perhaps I will just start by quoting the Commission for Children and Young Peopleannual report 2024–25, which says:

Key areas of progress acknowledged in the Wrap-up report card include significant government investment to tackle sexual exploitation of children missing from care, more therapeutic residential care options, better identification and responses to the health and disability needs of children in care, and greater support for care leavers.

The commissioner made it very clear in her report that there is room for improvement. She also made it very clear that in the last 12 months there has been extensive improvement.

Again, Dr Heath, I would note that you are new to these issues, and I have answered these questions in the house many times before. I respect your right to ask them again, but this government has invested far more in family and child protection services than any previous government. In particular when it comes to work around sexual exploitation, in partnership with the CCYP we have rolled out across the state sexual exploitation practice leaders – (Time expired)