Premier Mark McGowan’s strongly-worded response to the latest Banksia Hill riot is in direct contradiction to his comments while in opposition, Gary Adshead has argued.

Mr Adshead compared Mr McGowan’s comments on Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in 2014 to those yesterday on 6PR Mornings, labelling them “cynical and populist” in the face of changing governmental responsibility.

“The Premier yesterday described FASD as just an excuse,” Mr Adshead said.

“My job, when such cynical politics are at play, is to make sure you know the backstory.”

Press PLAY to hear Gary Adshead’s full editorial on the Premier’s comments

Former president of Perth Children’s Court Denis Reynolds told Gary Adshead he hoped Mark McGowan would take a hard look at his own response.

“The Premier’s line that children that go to detention have committed serious offences and they should be there is not a matter of dispute,” Mr Reynolds said.

“That’s not the issue, though he makes that the issue deliberately to deflect from the real issue, and that is how children are treated when they are in detention.

“For the last several years – in the last 12 months particularly – the children have been managed unlawfully.”

Press PLAY to hear former Children’s Court President Denis Reynold’s full interview