Opposition pressures Labor over minister’s handling of child abuse case

Dion Barber had allegedly already been sexually and physically abused by multiple relatives when he came on to the radar of Don Punch and his Department of Communities colleagues.

WA Labor MP for Bunbury Don Punch. Picture: Colin Murty/The Australian

The West Australian Labor government has been called on to provide more clarity about the handling of the child protection portfolio after one of its ministers was linked to previous decisions that placed a vulnerable ward of the state back in the hands of child sex predators.

Don Punch – the Disability Services, Regional Development, Fisheries, Volunteering and Seniors and Ageing Minister – was working in senior roles in the late 1980s and early ’90s within what is now WA’s Department of Communities when he considered the best course of action for a boy named Dion Barber.

Mr Barber had allegedly been sexually and physically abused by multiple relatives when he came on to the radar of Mr Punch and his colleagues, with those decision-makers ultimately concluding that reuniting Mr Barber with his family was the best long-term option.

He was subsequently sent to live at various times with his stepfather, biological father and grandparents, all of whom had previously been accused of abusing him or other children and all of whom, Mr Barber says, went on to sexually and physically abuse him again.

Mr Barber is now suing the Department of Communities in the WA District Court, seeking compensation for what his lawyers say was the “contumel­ious disregard” the department showed for his rights and interests. He suffers from a string of psychological and physical conditions linked to his abuse, and is seeking damages for his lifelong loss of earnings.

He is also seeking aggravated earnings linked to the conduct of the government in its response to his legal case.

Mr Punch was named in Mr Barber’s statement of claim and The Australian on Monday revealed he had been listed as a witness who would be called when the civil trial begins this week.

Opposition child protection spokesman Nick Goiran said the Cook government needed to explain what role if any Mr Punch had played in the child protection portfolio in light of Mr Barber’s claims. “While it is appropriate for there to be limited comment about a matter before the courts, there is one thing the Premier can and must do at this time – Roger Cook must confirm for what periods of time, if any, Mr Punch has served as acting minister for child protection,” he told The Australian.

WA opposition child protection spokesman Nick Goiran. Picture: Ian Munro/The West Australian

“It was bad enough the WA Labor government amalgamated child protection into the mega Department of Communities. That ill-conceived amalgamation sees Mr Punch as one of that department’s many ministers. The question remains to what extent has he had direct responsibility for this portfolio area.”

Mr Punch’s scheduled appearance in court comes less than two months from the state election. His electorate of Bunbury is considered a bellwether seat.

WA Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti said she was not concerned about the prospect of the legal action distracting Mr Punch from his re-election efforts. “Because it’s a matter before the courts, I can’t comment, but he’s a very diligent minister who will continue to do his job very well,” she said.