Details

Following the convictions in 2011 and 2012 of two senior staff members of St Andrew’s Hostel at Katanning of offences of a serious sexual nature against students, a Special Inquirer was appointed to examine when any allegations were made against the staff members of St Andrew’s Hostel at Katanning, who they were made to, what action was taken in response to those allegations, and the appropriateness of any action taken; and to consider any evidence of allegations of sexual abuse by any person at or connected with the hostel or related organisations.

Governing Legislation
S.24H(2) of the Public Sector Management Act 1994 (“the PSM Act”).

Governing Authority
The Parliament of Western Australia

Inquiry Locations
The Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission, Perth.

Public Hearings
There were 42 days of public hearings from February to July 2012.

Written Submissions
Part of the evidence considered by the Inquiry was by way of written submission.

Research
The Inquiry sourced agency records and undertook extensive investigations.

Witnesses
The Inquiry heard from 149 witnesses, 85 of whom gave oral evidence, 64 of whom had their statements read into the transcript. The evidence generally covers a wide variety of different incidents spanning the 15 year period between 1975 and 1990.

Institutions
St Andrew's Hostel, Katanning; St Christopher’s Hostel, Northam

Recommendations
The Special Inquirer made five recommendations, in summary:

• That the Authority develops a comprehensive, child focussed complaint system which provides a multiple avenue complaints model including support for the child or young person.
• That the State Government develop a function and role within or across central and independent agencies to fulfil a robust child focussed central complaints system.
• That consideration be given to including staff of the Authority as mandatory reporters for the purposes of the CCS Act.
• That the Department of Education undertake a review of how their schools deliver the preventative curriculum to ensure that it meets the need as identified in the Gordon Inquiry.
• That the Authority consider developing a comprehensive training program for Board members.

The Government published three status reports outlining its responses to the recommendations.