The Western Australian Commissioner for Children and Young People Jacqueline McGowan-Jones has rejected claims by Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia that she gave a "glowing" recent review of Banksia Hill youth detention centre.
Mr Papalia was making the comments at a press conference in the wake of the death of a 17-year-old boy at Banksia Hill, who took their own life on Thursday night.
The young person's death is the second in WA's youth detention system in less than a year, after Yamatji boy Cleveland Dodd died in Unit 18 in October 2023.
At a press conference, Mr Papalia, along with Premier Roger Cook and Custodial Services Inspector Brad Royce, were forced to defend a system that has seen two children die on the state's watch in less than one year.
The Premier said he had "more confidence than ever before in terms of the way we are managing our juvenile detention facilities".
Mr Papalia at one point said the conditions at the facility were much better than they had been, arguing this had been independently verified.
"And as I said, things are vastly improved in terms of service delivery, staffing, resourcing and out of cell hours," he said, before noting Commissioner McGowan-Jones visited Banksia Hill this week, giving it a "glowing" review in a verbal report to Mr Royce.
This despite a report by the Commissioner a fortnight ago finding that, despite some improvements, "systemic problems" still remained, and the complex needs of children were not being met.
The report, which interviewed 43 children, found many experienced racism and often miss out on seeing their families during lockdowns.
On Friday, Commissioner McGowan-Jones released a statement rejecting Mr Papalia's claim that she gave a glowing review of the controversial facility.
"I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of a young person in custody in WA overnight. My thoughts and condolences go out to his family at this extremely difficult time," she said.
"The State Government must do better. I made it clear in my press conference two weeks ago that we could not lose another life of a child in the State's care.
"I am absolutely heartbroken that this has happened again."
The Commissioner said the state government needed to focus on the individual needs of children and young people in detention, reiterating the concerns outlined in her report.
She said they must ensure that "relational security is prioritised over physical security," arguing it doesn't "appear to be the case currently".
"My 'Hear Me Out' inquiry report highlights the systemic failure of successive governments that did not put the needs of children and young people as their primary consideration," Commissioner McGowan-Jones said.
"What is the government going to do to fix the dire situation youth justice is in? How many more children and young people need to be traumatised or lose their life before we see significant change?"
Mr Papalia, who took over from Bill Johnston in the portfolio, has faced significant criticism from legal, Indigenous, and human rights groups over the government's handling of youth detention.
He was slammed by the WA Law Society for undermining the "public's confidence in the administration of justice" when he publicly criticised a magistrate choosing not to prosecute a 10-year-old Indigenous child.
On Friday, Kurin Minang human rights expert and law academic Dr Hannah McGlade said the minister lacks the knowledge, experience and commitment to reform the state's trouble youth justice system.
13YARN 13 92 76
Lifeline 13 11 14
