Summary
Hon Nick Goiran asked about oversight of justices of the peace; the minister cited existing support services and said the Attorney General would consider committee recommendations. Hon Nick Goiran asked about children in care with unknown whereabouts; the minister confirmed eight of ten previously missing children have been located, with three currently unaccounted for. Hon Tjorn Sibma asked whether KPMG met a June 9 deadline; the Minister for Finance confirmed KPMG responded and tabled a redacted copy of that response. Hon Dr Brian Walker asked for THC impaired-driving prosecution figures; the minister said WA Police could not provide the data in time and would respond by 17 June 2026. Hon Steve Martin asked about wild dog control permit changes in the Great Southern; the minister confirmed no permits had been withdrawn or cancelled and no changes were anticipated.
Questions
Asked of the parliamentary secretary representing the Attorney General
Justices of the peace
Nick Goiran asked whether a formal oversight and reporting framework exists for justices of the peace in Western Australia, citing concerns from the Royal Association about an "absence of a comprehensive, formal oversight framework." The parliamentary secretary responded that the Department of Justice provides support through its justice of the peace branch, including administration and a complaints management process, but deflected the specific question by stating the Attorney General would consider any recommendations from the Standing Committee rather than directly confirming whether a formal oversight framework currently exists.
Asked of the minister representing the Minister for Child Protection
Children in care–Whereabouts unknown
Nick Goiran asked the Minister for Child Protection about the status of children in care whose whereabouts were previously unknown, including whether a child reported as missing had been found and whether any had been victims of crime. The minister confirmed that of ten children previously unaccounted for, eight have been located, one remains in contact but unaccounted for, and one is now recorded as unaccounted for and not in contact, with whereabouts unknown periods ranging from one to 90 days, while currently three children in care remain unaccounted for across various categories.
Asked of the minister representing the Minister for Finance
KPMG contracts
Member Tjorn Sibma asked whether KPMG responded to a Department of Treasury and Finance request for information about alleged misconduct by June 9, and requested the response be tabled. The Minister for Finance, represented by Hon Matthew Swinbourn, confirmed KPMG did respond by the deadline and tabled the response with personal information redacted.
Asked of the Minister for Agriculture and Food
Wild dog control
Steve Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food whether the state government had withdrawn, cancelled or added conditions to wild dog control permits in the Great Southern and south coast regions in the past 12 months, and whether any changes had been made at the request of landowners, Aboriginal groups, or activist organisations. The minister provided direct answers, confirming that no permits had been withdrawn or cancelled, no restrictive conditions had been added, and no changes to wild dog control management had been made in response to any of the groups mentioned.
Asked of the Minister for Agriculture and Food
Livestock—Electronic identification
Julie Freeman asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food about concerns from livestock producers regarding the costs of mandatory electronic identification for sheep and goats, and whether the government would extend the tag incentive payment scheme beyond December 2026. The minister directly addressed the concerns by confirming awareness of them and outlining the $25.6 million transition package already provided, while indicating the scheme would be reviewed in 2026 rather than committing to an extension.
Asked of the minister representing the Minister for Police
THC driving laws—Prosecutions
Dr Brian Walker asked the Minister for Police about prosecutions for THC-related driving impairment in Western Australia since the government received ministerial working group recommendations. The minister deflected on questions (1) and (2), citing the need for manual data interrogation and promising a response by 17 June 2026, while referring question (3) about licence suspensions to the Attorney General.
Asked of the minister representing the Minister for Disability Services
Thriving Kids Advisory Group
Tim Clifford asked whether Western Australia's Department of Communities was aware of the federal government's Thriving Kids Advisory Group before the Commonwealth announced NDIS changes in April 2026. The minister replied that the Advisory Group's final report was released in December 2025, before the federal government's announced NDIS changes, though this response did not directly address whether the department had prior awareness of the group's existence or work.
Asked of the minister representing the Minister for Police
Police—Indian Ocean Defence and Security Conference
The minister confirmed that WA Police provided security for the Indian Ocean Defence and Security Conference as part of routine operations, citing the event's international significance and the elevated terrorism and protest threat levels at the time. The minister declined to provide specific costs or detailed staffing numbers for the Public Order Team, citing operational sensitivities.
Asked of the Minister for the Environment
Leeming—Clearing permit decision
Dr Brad Pettitt questioned why a clearing permit for a Leeming site was approved despite the acknowledged significant residual impacts to a threatened ecological community and black cockatoo habitat. Minister Swinbourn directly confirmed the site contains Priority 3 ecological community vegetation and explained the department's decision was based on assessing clearing necessity, planning framework, and appropriate offsets under the Environmental Protection Act.
Asked of the Minister for the Environment
Alcoa—Exemption order
Member Jess Beckerling asked whether the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation holds complete data on black cockatoo nesting trees covered by Alcoa's exemption order, noting difficulty locating previously referenced information. Minister Matthew Swinbourn confirmed the department has the data, stating that Alcoa is responsible for identifying and recording significant trees, and that access is limited to government agencies involved in regulatory processes.
Asked of the Leader of the House representing the Premier
National Principles for Child Safe Organisations
The Member for Moore asked when the Ombudsman-led child safety oversight scheme would become operational and what enforcement powers the Ombudsman would have. The Leader of the House indicated that an implementation plan is still being developed and deferred providing specific timelines or details on enforcement powers, stating these matters are still under consideration.
Asked of the Minister for Community Services
Community evacuation centres
The Minister for Community Services confirmed that the Department of Communities maintains a register of 418 pre-approved evacuation centres, which are periodically reassessed in consultation with local governments. However, the minister declined to table the full schedule of approved sites, citing potential impacts on emergency response and community safety, though noting that specific location information can be provided upon request.
Asked of the minister representing the Minister for Emergency Services
Emergency services—Yanchep fire station
Member Simon Ehrenfeld questioned delays to the Yanchep career fire station project, which has extended from a promised 18-month timeline after the 2025 election to an expected opening in February 2029, and asked about changes to the proposed land site. Minister Matthew Swinbourn did not provide direct answers, instead stating he had not received an answer to the question and would attempt to locate one, suggesting it may have been redirected to another minister responsible for building projects.
Asked of the Leader of the House representing the Premier
Green steel
Phil Twiss asked the Premier's office about responses to a government call for expressions of interest in supplying locally manufactured green steel, seeking details on the number of submissions and participating companies. The Leader of the House confirmed that submissions were received and are under review, but did not provide specific numbers or company names requested by the member.
Asked of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Commerce
National Construction Code
Michelle Hofmann raised community concerns about privacy, safety and dignity regarding bathroom facility changes in the National Construction Code 2025. The parliamentary secretary confirmed that the Australian Building Codes Board conducted national consultation between May and July 2024 and released a preview draft for public comment in February 2026, directly addressing the question about consultation processes.
Asked of the minister representing the Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence
Women's Domestic Violence Helpline
The minister provided direct answers to all three questions about the Women's Domestic Violence Helpline, reporting that calls received have increased from 4,992 in 2021 to 11,633 in 2025, with 7.78 full-time equivalent staff members assigned as of May 2026, and abandoned calls rising from 691 in 2021 to 3,351 in 2025.
Asked of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health Infrastructure
St John of God Midland Public Hospital
The parliamentary secretary confirmed that the full $200 million federal commitment for St John of God Midland Public Hospital expansion has been provisioned in the budget across the forward estimates and out years, with construction expected to begin next year. The response addressed the funding timeline but did not directly confirm whether the Cook government had obtained a written guarantee from the Albanese government regarding delivery.
Asked of the parliamentary secretary representing the Attorney General
Public Trustee
Opposition Leader Nick Goiran questioned the parliamentary secretary about the Public Trustee's independent review findings, fee model changes, and planned staffing increases. The parliamentary secretary provided direct answers on most matters, confirming $23.9 million in funding over four years and staggered staff recruitment beginning July 2026, but declined to table the review findings citing cabinet-in-confidence protections.
Asked of the minister representing the Minister for Skills and TAFE
Skills industry roundtable discussions
The minister confirmed that Nous Group was engaged to support development of the WA Workforce Strategy at an estimated cost of $529,970, and that the strategy is due for completion in 2026. The minister did not directly address the member's questions about the nature of Nous Group's involvement, whether the work was rudimentary, or which specific industry participants attended each meeting.
Asked of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Housing and Works
Housing—Brick supply
Steve Martin asked whether brick shortages are impacting housing supply in Western Australia and requested data on supply constraints and backorders. Parliamentary Secretary Dr Katrina Stratton acknowledged that brick supply constraints exist as part of broader post-COVID supply chain pressures, but deflected from providing specific data by stating such information is not collected, instead emphasizing the government's focus on alternative construction methods like prefabrication and modular housing.
Asked of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Housing and Works
Vacant social housing—Geraldton
Neil Thomson asked about the current state of social housing in Geraldton, including vacant properties, maintenance needs, and construction targets. The parliamentary secretary reported that as of 30 April 2026, there are 106 vacant properties in Greater Geraldton with an average vacancy period of 56 weeks, 64 of which are undergoing maintenance or refurbishment, and confirmed 32 homes are under construction or contract, while also noting the government's commitment to social housing targets.
Asked of the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation
Punmu—Diesel-power
Sophie McNeill asked the Leader of the House about urgent steps to secure energy supplies to the remote community of Punmu following a power failure that coincided with a diphtheria outbreak, and inquired about actions to transition over 100 remote Western Australian communities away from diesel power. The Minister responded dismissively with "What is with the attitude?" rather than addressing the substantive questions about energy security and decarbonisation efforts.
Asked of the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation
Solar power generation
Dr Brian Walker asked the government to compare Western Australia's solar power generation with France's recent achievement of 11 gigawatts through mandatory solar canopies on large car parks, and whether similar requirements would be considered here. The Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation, responding through the Leader of the House, provided direct figures showing that 1.4 gigawatts of new solar capacity was installed in Western Australia over the same three-year period, but did not address whether the government would mandate solar canopies on car parks.
Asked of the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Education
Schools—Transportable classrooms
Member Julie Freeman asked about the gap between 68 school applications for transportable classrooms in 2027 and only 25 available units, questioning whether demand would exceed supply and what measures would address the shortfall. The minister responded that the department continuously assesses applications throughout the year, stated no applications would be unsuccessful, and confirmed funding in the 2026-27 budget would continue the program, though did not specify how many additional classrooms would be procured.
Asked of the minister representing the Minister for Emergency Services
Fire and emergency services—Appliances on restricted duty
Rob Horstman asked about fire appliances placed on restricted duty in May 2026 due to staffing shortages. The minister directly answered that 49 appliances were placed on restricted duty across 26 shifts, with one appliance designated as restricted duty for a maximum of 12 shifts during that period.
Asked of the parliamentary secretary representing the Attorney General
Court security—Regional and remote court closures
Michelle Boylan asked what measures the government is taking to restore court sittings to 34 regional locations closed due to security staffing shortages and how many additional officers will be allocated. The parliamentary secretary responded directly, outlining that the government has funded $6.2 million for expanded contracted court security and invested $4 million to employ 20 additional police auxiliary officers, with the expectation that temporary court closures will end once these officers are deployed in coming months.
Asked of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Sport and Recreation
Perth Park
Anthony Spagnolo asked the parliamentary secretary about the government's assessment of the financial viability of Supercars and Racing Australia Consolidated Enterprises, and whether agreements for the annual Supercars event at Perth Park have been finalised. The parliamentary secretary deflected from the specific questions by stating that the business case highlighted economic benefits from various events at Perth Park, without directly addressing concerns about Supercars' reported $19.9 million operating loss or confirming whether financial assessments or finalised agreements exist.