The Western Australian government is responding to serious concerns about the welfare of Indigenous children living in unsafe and unsupervised conditions in South Hedland. Reports have emerged that up to 15 children, some as young as five, have been left alone for days at a time in a house on Frisby Court, prompting criticism of the Department of Child Protection’s (DCP) handling of the situation.

Local authorities and community members have said the department was aware of these circumstances for months, if not years, without taking effective action. Residents and Indigenous leaders express deep frustration over what they describe as neglect and inadequate responses to ongoing child protection failures.

WA Child Protection Minister Jessica Stojkovski acknowledged on Monday that it was unacceptable for children to be living in such conditions. She said the department is working with other agencies in South Hedland to support vulnerable families and ensure no child is overlooked. Stojkovski’s visit to the Pilbara region came after media reports detailed the situation, shining a spotlight on the local crisis.

WA Premier Roger Cook described the living conditions in Frisby Court as "distressing and completely unacceptable" and emphasized the department’s responsibility to monitor and address complex child protection issues. Cook said the government is investigating the full scope of the problem and will take the necessary steps to resolve it.

The recent revelations follow a high-profile case in 2022 in which three children were left in the care of their mother, Margaret Hawke, despite warnings about her violent behavior and drug addiction. The children were later found murdered. While calls have been made for a formal inquest into the department’s role in that case, Premier Cook deferred to the coroner’s discretion on whether an inquiry should proceed.

At the federal level, Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy said she has been made aware of the reports but has yet to engage directly with the WA government regarding the allegations. She stated she is seeking further information and did not confirm plans to visit South Hedland.

The family at the center of the recent Frisby Court reports includes children aged seven, 11, and 14, who were found living alone for extended periods. Their mother expressed sadness over the attention but said she is not afraid. She confirmed that authorities recently visited to assess the home environment and her absence due to work commitments.

Community members remain outraged. Eyke Csirr, a Frisby Court resident, condemned both the parents for leaving children unattended and the DCP for failing to intervene. An Indigenous elder formerly connected with the DCP, who spoke anonymously, raised additional concerns about children being exposed to drugs like marijuana and living amongst filth, including a deceased animal in the home.

The elder criticized the department’s reluctance to act decisively out of fear of repeating the historical trauma of the Stolen Generation, warning that the ongoing neglect risks the future wellbeing of Indigenous youth and the survival of Indigenous culture in the region.

These developments have renewed calls for urgent reforms to protect vulnerable Indigenous children and improve coordination among government agencies tasked with safeguarding their rights and welfare.