Recklessness under s 101(1)(b) of the Children and Community Services Act 2004 (WA) means 'conscious disregard' — the accused wilfully or deliberately shut his or her eyes to whether the conduct may result in the child suffering harm. It does not require proof of actual foresight or awareness (which would constitute knowledge under s 101(1)(a)), nor does it import an objective negligence standard of what the accused 'ought to have known'. A direction to the jury in terms of 'conscious disregard' is sufficient and correct.
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