Western Australia’s government faces mounting criticism over its response to serious child protection concerns involving Indigenous children in South Hedland, as reports emerged of up to 15 children being left unsupervised for extended periods in a single home. The situation has drawn scrutiny from politicians, community leaders, and service providers, highlighting longstanding challenges in safeguarding vulnerable Indigenous youth.
The issue came to light last weekend when reports detailed children as young as five years old left unattended at a residence on Frisby Court, South Hedland. Neighbours, Indigenous leaders, and local police confirmed multiple complaints to the Department of Child Protection concerning the household, though they said official intervention appeared limited.
During a parliamentary session, Police Minister Reece Whitby suggested diversionary programs centered on activities like basketball could offer beneficial support for vulnerable children. He argued such initiatives have successfully provided food, engagement, and safer environments in disadvantaged communities, potentially steering children away from harm. “We know these are long and complex and very difficult issues,” Whitby said, describing the underlying problems as generational and linked to familial dysfunction, substance abuse, domestic violence, and sexual abuse.
Opposition leader Basil Zempilas challenged Whitby’s emphasis on community sports programs, contending that while such measures may have a role in the longer term, they do not address the immediate issue of children lacking proper supervision. Zempilas highlighted the contrast between the region’s economic resources and the impoverished conditions confronting Indigenous families nearby, questioning the adequacy of current government responses.
Child Protection Minister Jess Stojkovski declined to describe the living conditions at Frisby Court as “squalid,” stating in a media interview she found no evidence that children had been abandoned for days at a time. Stojkovski said she had consulted frontline agencies, which reportedly denied awareness of unsupervised children in that home. However, multiple neighbours and Indigenous elders, including Kariyarra elder Pat Mason and Nyamal-Pitjikarl leader Doris Eaton, have spoken publicly about neglect and safety concerns, supported by testimony from local police officers and community workers.
Aboriginal family support worker Khyanne Thomas recounted regularly bringing food to children in the home when parents were absent, remarking that the Department of Communities seemed unaware of the full extent of the situation. The persistent gap between official accounts and community experiences has intensified calls for greater transparency and accountability.
The criticisms unfold amid broader national challenges in Indigenous child welfare. Data from 2025 indicate that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children comprise 45.8 percent of children in out-of-home care—significantly disproportionate to their representation in the population—which has increased over recent years. Various Indigenous organizations oppose expanding child removal policies and resist calls for a royal commission into abuse, while some politicians have pushed for a federal inquiry to address systemic failures.
Independent Senator Linda Thorpé urged the government to commit to a roundtable and formal federal inquiry, while Opposition Indigenous affairs spokesman Julian Leeser described the Port Hedland situation as “untenable” and advocated for more comprehensive scrutiny. The controversy highlights ongoing difficulties faced by Western Australia and other jurisdictions in meeting child protection obligations under national frameworks such as the Closing the Gap agreement, which aims to reduce Indigenous child removals through early intervention rather than crisis response.
As debate continues, some Opposition MPs assert the government has not adequately responded to repeated warnings about the breakdown of Indigenous families in Western Australia, seeking stronger measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children in the state.