PM says ‘he’s not aware of every issue in every state’ when asked about boy’s death in custody

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has dodged a question about a 17-year old boy who died in a WA detention centre, choosing to attack Peter Dutton instead.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has denied knowing about a 17-year old boy who died by suicide in a Western Australian youth prison, dodging a question to focus on the Opposition Leader instead.

The prime minister was asked by a reporter during a media stop in Rockhampton if he was aware of the death in custody, and if he would support the WA government in seeking an inquiry into the death.

“Sorry, I’m not conscious of every state issue,” he responded.

“I’ll be in Western Australia tomorrow. Um, and I look forward to the visit to Western Australia.

“It will be the fourth time that my cabinet has visited Western Australia, not just meeting in Perth, but meeting in Port Hedland as well.

“WA has such a critical role to play, and the concern that I have in WA is that Peter Dutton, according to Julie Bishop, has been very sceptical about WA getting its fair share in the GST and in addition to that, we know from this week that Angus Taylor let the cat out of the bag about the $100 billion of cuts they have planned.

“I want to know what those cuts are.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denied knowledge of the death, and instead spoke about the GST and cuts planned by the Coalition. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The prime minister later on Saturday told NewsWire the boy’s death was a “horrible incident” and that his thoughts were with the young teen’s family.

“The death of a child in these circumstances is tragic and deeply sad,” he said. 

“There is an investigation underway and that is appropriate. 

“It is important the state authorities get to the bottom of what went wrong.”

The prime minister is travelling to WA and he said would ask the premier for his views on Monday.

On Friday, Premier Roger Cook, Corrective Service Minister Paul Papalia and Commissioner of Corrective Services Brad Royce held a press conference following the boy’s death.

Mr Royce told reporters the Indigenous boy arrived at Banksia Hill Detention Centre two days before he died.

He said staff at the detention centre checked on him 10 times throughout the evening and on the 11th check he was found unresponsive.

He said staff performed CPR on the boy but he could not be revived.

Premier Cook said this was “a horrible, horrible event.”

Family of Cleveland Dodd, a 16-year old Aboriginal boy who died in custody, have just gone through an inquest into his death. Picture: NewsWire / Sharon Smith,

“Clearly, a failure has taken place because someone has lost their life and we will now undertake the very important task of understanding the circumstances that preceded his death,” he said.

On Friday, senator Lidia Thorpe called for “urgent” federal intervention.

“I am calling on the Prime Minister, the new Indigenous Australians Minister, and the ­Attorney-General to act now. They need to rein in the states who are abusing and killing our children. This is part of the ongoing genocide against our people,” she said.

The boy is the second Aboriginal youth who has died in a Western Australia detention centre in the last 12 months, following the death of Cleveland Dodd, 16, last October.

The Australian Human Rights Commission is now seeking an urgent meeting with the Western Australia premier to discuss child justice and the operation of the Banksia Hill facility.

Cleveland Dodd, 16, died at Unit 18 after he self harmed in October last year.

Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss, National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds, and Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay expressed their sadness and disappointment following the death.

Commissioner Kiss said the death of a child was devastating.

“First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family and community of the 17-year-old boy,” she said.

“Removing our children from their families and communities is a continuation of colonial policies and practices. The impact of locking them in institutions where they are out of sight and out of mind, is devastating.

“How many more tragedies and deaths in custody need to happen before we acknowledge that the current arrangements are not working?

“Kids need care and support so they can thrive in their development, have hope for their futures and feel they are loved, valued and belong.”

National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds has called on the Commonwealth to make child safety a priority and convene a national taskforce to reform child justice. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Commissioner Hollonds said just last week her report ‘Help Way Earlier!: How Australia can transform child justice to improve safety and wellbeing’ was tabled in federal parliament.

“We urgently need the Commonwealth to make child safety and wellbeing a national priority and convene a national taskforce for the federation to work together on the reform of child justice in this country based on evidence and human rights,” she said.

“I am ashamed of the way Australia is treating our most vulnerable children. Governments must be accountable for protecting children from harm when they are in their care.”