Child Protection Minister Katrine Hildyard cancels leave amid scandals engulfing her portfolio
An SA minister has taken an about-face on her holiday plans as multiple scandals engulf her portfolio.
SA News
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The state’s under-fire Child Protection Minister Katrine Hildyard has been forced to cancel a planned three-week break from work as multiple scandals engulf her portfolio.
The official Government Gazette, published last Thursday, shows Ms Hildyard was due to go on annual leave for three weeks from today until August 7.
The Gazette shows Human Services Minister Nat Cook was to be acting Child Protection Minister while Ms Hildyard was away.
Her original scheduled leave came at a time the Department of Child Protection is facing extreme pressure, with revelations hundreds of abuse calls are going unanswered.
New data also showed almost 50 people were charged in relation to sexual offences against children in state care in the past two years, including two girls who became pregnant.
Ms Hildyard confirmed to The Advertiser on Sunday, after the Opposition called out her leave, that she had changed her plans.
“I have shortened and delayed my planned leave and have a meeting scheduled (today),” she said.
She refused to detail what her new annual leave schedule looked like, but said the decision to change it was not in response to the Opposition’s pressure.
Opposition child protection spokesman Josh Teague on Sunday morning hit out at Ms Hildyard’s original plans to go on leave.
“We now understand that in response to our calls, the Minister has now cancelled that leave,” he said.
“Just moments ago I received advice that the Minister … has cancelled Gazetted leave – the Minister had gone on leave for three weeks in the midst of this state’s child protection crisis.
“It’s a shocking state of affairs that (she) should be in a situation where it takes a media conference on a Sunday morning … for the Minister to think about taking three weeks of leave in the midst of the crisis.”
Ms Hildyard said the Opposition’s claims were “nonsense”.
“That is nonsense. My family and I make these decisions together,” she said.
“This is yet another disappointing and petty political attack from a desperate Opposition who have no plan and no understanding of the complex issues children and families confront.”
It comes as the Child Protection Department’s newly appointed deputy chief executive remains on indefinite leave.
Earlier on Sunday, Mr Teague again called for a new dedicated Child Protection Minister.
Ms Hildyard currently holds the portfolios of child protection, domestic, family and sexual violence prevention and recreation, sport and racing.
“Choosing to go on holiday now is no way to escape the scandals and no way to resolve the crisis,” Mr Teague said.
“Katrine Hildyard should resign so that a new dedicated Child Protection Minister can get on with the work.”
Opposition assistant child protection spokeswoman Laura Henderson said Labor’s priorities were wrong.
“It is no secret that Katrine Hildyard has a significant focus on sport, meaning she can’t give the child protection portfolio the time and crucial attention it deserves,” she said.
“The Opposition has been calling for a stand-alone Child Protection Minister. The child protection system is in crisis and needs laser-like focus.”
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