Speeches

HON ALISON XAMON (North Metropolitan) [6.22 pm]: I rise because I want to make some comments about the case that was reported last week and over the last few days of the 10-year-old child in the care of the Department of Communities who came before the Children’s Court. I note that Child Protection had no placement options available for this child and appeared resigned to the court sending him to Banksia Hill Detention Centre. I do not know whether any other members have been to Banksia Hill Detention Centre; I have, most recently about six months ago.

HON ALISON XAMON (North Metropolitan) [10.03 pm]: I rise tonight to bring members’ attention to the situation in Sudan. That might sound like an unusual issue to be raising within the state Parliament, but this has been brought to my attention by members of the Sudanese Australian community who are living in Western Australia. I need to acknowledge the distress that they are experiencing, recognising that many Sudanese Australians arrived in Australia precisely to escape the sort of oppression that is occurring.