Child Strip Searches - Question Without Notice
My question is directed to the Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional New South Wales, and Minister for Western New South Wales, representing the Minister for Police and Counter‑terrorism. Information obtained by the Redfern Legal Centre under the Government Information (Public Access) Act [GIPAA] shows that over the past two years New South Wales police have conducted over 100 strip searches on children, including girls as young as 12 and boys as young as 14. The data also shows that strip searches of young girls increased from seven in 2021‑22 to 25 in 2022‑23. With the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission's recent review into police strip search practices finding that less than one‑third of officers had complied with the rules designed to protect privacy and dignity, and the majority of searches finding nothing, how is the Government able to justify continuing to strip search children?
The Hon. TARA MORIARTY: I thank the member for this very important question, which has been directed to me in my capacity representing the Minister for Police and Counter‑terrorism. I have seen reports today. But given the serious nature of the question and the details that have been put to me, out of respect to the House and to the member, it is best if I get a very specific answer from the Minister, and I will bring it back to the member and to the House.