Senator Payman warns parents about child safety threat
Western Australia's only independent Senator, Fatima Payman, is warning parents not to take their children to the Royal Perth Show until child safety can be guaranteed.
An ABC report today says Show authorities are refusing to say if all workers at the site have passed Working with Children Checks.
The issue has been raised after an incident last year when the mother of a former victim saw her child's attacker, who was a convicted child sex offender, performing a demonstration for children at the show.
According to the report, the Royal Agricultural Society of WA (RASWA) then pledged to work with WA Police and the Working with Children Screening Unit to review its practices, but that it is now not answering questions about it.
"The Royal Agricultural Society has had a year to get its act together to fully protect its child patrons," Senator Payman said.
"It is an outrage to think that this event, which is extremely attractive to children and parents, may not be safe," she said.
"So, I am calling on parents not to take their kids to the show this year until safety can be guaranteed."
"I know it is a terrible shame, because children look forward all year to going to the show, but their safety is more important, and so parents should offer an alternative outing for this year."
It can take several weeks to obtain a Working with Children Check, and it is understood that there is a large backlog of applications, so it is too late this year for all workers at the show to be checked. Many show workers are also hired on short-term contracts.
"I know it is a time-consuming exercise, but what is more important, one day of fun at the show or the safety of our children?" said the Senator.
"At the very least, the Royal Agricultural Society should fess up and tell us exactly what the situation is before employing best practice for child safety next year."
Senator Payman is available in Perth today.
