Will Hodgman

Yet another report into child protection has found the system is continuing to fail the very people it is meant to protect.

The comprehensive report by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Child Protection is the 13^th report in recent years into the child protection system in this State, containing another 176 recommendations making a total of almost 600 recommendations made to this Government for change.

Surely this is enough evidence for the Labor-Green Government to finally act, and to make urgent and significant improvements.

The submissions and evidence have come from a wide range of participants, from health professionals, educators, the community sector, social workers, child protection workers, psychologists, sexual assault support organizations, lawyers, unions, current and former Commissioners for Children, families and family support workers and organizations, foster carers and organizations representing children in State care.

This is overwhelming proof that the system for protecting children in this State is not working, and is an indictment of this Government after 13 years in office.

I am particularly concerned at the 183 findings in this report which point to a system struggling to meet demand, children at risk falling through the gaps, serious notifications not acted upon and children sent back into abusive home environments.   

For all its talk of reform, the Government has not built the fence at the top of the cliff, but instead is waiting with an ambulance at the bottom.

Childhood trauma can have lifelong impacts and early intervention can give children the very best chance at life.

I welcome the Committee’s recommendations for change, including a total overhaul of the legislative framework, introducing a new culture of transparency in Child Protection Services and greater power and oversight for the Commissioner for Children.