Western Australian Current Acts Western Australian Current Acts (1) This section
applies to a person in the course of performing duties or functions, or
exercising powers, as —
(a) the
Principal Registrar, a registrar or a deputy registrar; or
(b) a
family consultant; or
(c) a
family counsellor; or
(d) a
family dispute resolution practitioner; or
(e) an
arbitrator; or
(f) a
legal practitioner independently representing a child’s interests.
(2) If a person
referred to in subsection (1) has reasonable grounds for suspecting that a
child has been abused, or is at risk of being abused, the person must, as soon
as practicable, notify the CEO of the suspicion and the basis for the
suspicion.
(3) If a person
referred to in subsection (1) has reasonable grounds for suspecting that a
child —
(a) has
been ill treated, or is at risk of being ill treated; or
(b) has
been exposed or subjected, or is at risk of being exposed or subjected, to
behaviour which psychologically harms the child,
the person may notify
the CEO of the suspicion and the basis for the suspicion.
(4) If a person
mentioned in subsection (1) knows that the CEO has previously been notified
under subsection (2) or section 159(2) that a child has been abused or is at
risk of being abused —
(a) the
person need not notify the CEO of a suspicion that the child has been abused
or is at risk of being abused; but
(b) the
person may notify the CEO of the suspicion.
(5) If notice under
this section is given orally, written notice confirming the oral notice is to
be given to the CEO as soon as practicable after the oral notice.
(6) If a person
referred to in subsection (1) notifies the CEO under this section the person
may make such disclosures of other information as the person reasonably
believes are necessary to enable the CEO to properly manage the matter the
subject of the notification.
[Section 160 amended: No. 25 of 2002 s. 46; No. 34
of 2004 Sch. 2 cl. 10(7); No. 35 of 2006 s. 123.]