Housing authorities in Western Australia have faced criticism after residents in South Hedland reported persistent antisocial behaviour and neglect involving children living at a property on Frisby Court. Despite numerous police callouts and resident complaints, the WA Department of Housing maintained it lacked sufficient evidence to take punitive action against the tenants.

Neighbor Alex Taylor, who has lodged multiple complaints over six months, described the situation as dire, saying children left unsupervised in the dilapidated house caused widespread disruption. Police have been called to the address more than 50 times this year, responding to reports of vandalism, noise, and safety hazards. Residents allege that the children, some as young as five, were left to fend for themselves amid unsanitary conditions including rubbish, food waste, and animal excrement inside the home.

In a letter responding to Mr. Taylor’s complaints, the Department of Housing acknowledged the reports but stated that “disruptive behaviour... was unable to be supported” due to insufficient corroborating evidence. The letter noted that the tenant had been counselled on behaviour expectations and informed of protocols for any future incidents.

Local residents expressed frustration with government inaction, describing the property as a “war zone” and recounting incidents of rocks and bottles being thrown at homes and delivery personnel. Neighbour Ian Beagle confirmed he contacted police multiple times in recent days about youths throwing objects into his yard and attempting break-ins. Another resident, Damian Mason, highlighted the difficulties police face in managing minors in the absence of parental supervision and called for a more robust response from child protection services.

Community members and elders have voiced concern over the broader implications for Indigenous children in the region, describing them as vulnerable and neglected by current systems. Pat Mason, a community member from Karrivarra, criticized the lack of prioritization for Indigenous welfare, stating the children “won’t tell you that, but we know” they are scared and overlooked.

The issue coincides with a broader national debate on child protection policies in Indigenous communities. Recent legislative changes in the Northern Territory, which have shifted emphasis from cultural connections to prioritizing physical safety of children, provoked condemnation from federal and state ministers, excluding Queensland’s LNP government. The federal Indigenous Australians Minister, Malarndirri McCarthy, has voiced concerns over policies in the Northern Territory, while the Northern Territory’s Country Liberal government defended its approach, highlighting perceived neglect in Western Australia under the Labor government.

Federal officials reiterated their commitment to child welfare, with a spokesperson affirming the Albanese government’s focus on children’s best interests. However, concerns remain over the commonwealth’s role in child protection, as noted by Hannah McGlade, an Indigenous researcher and UN forum member, who urged greater federal involvement, citing constitutional responsibilities and national policy commitments.

This controversy follows recent revelations that the WA Department for Child Protection had failed to adequately intervene prior to the murder of three siblings by their mother, bringing scrutiny to systemic flaws in child safeguarding. Despite police briefing the department repeatedly about children roaming unsupervised in South Hedland, WA Minister for Child Protection Jessica Stojkovski dismissed descriptions of the Frisby Court property as “squalid” and denied evidence of abandoned children.

The situation has prompted calls for legal action against negligent parents and for stronger child protection enforcement. Senior local elder Doris Eaton urged that neglect charges be pursued and vulnerable children placed in state care to prevent further harm. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that the issue remains under state jurisdiction, declining to intervene directly in Western Australia’s governance.