Royal Commission findings into child protection system expected to prompt rewrite of laws safeguarding young people in SA
THE findings of a Royal Commission into the child protection system are expected to prompt a complete rewrite of laws safeguarding young people in South Australia.
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THE findings of a Royal Commission into the child protection system are expected to prompt a complete rewrite of laws safeguarding young people in South Australia.
Royal Commissioner Margaret Nyland delivered her long-awaited report to the Governor on Friday afternoon.
It is understood to make at least 100 recommendations to improve a system Ms Nyland has described as “in crisis”.
Education and Child Development Minister Susan Close told The Advertiser she had “every expectation that we’ll have a new child protection Act following Margaret Nyland’s report”.
“I think community’s expectations and attitudes have changed over time and we are due for another catch up (in the law),” she said.
The royal commission was sparked by the arrest of former Families SA carer Shannon McCoole two years ago.
He was later convicted of heinous sexual offences against seven young children in his care between January 2011 and June 2014.
In a statement released yesterday morning, Ms Nyland said children had been failed by the current system and significant changes were needed.
“Many children in state care have been abused and neglected, not only by their families but by the system that was supposed to protect them,” she said.
“It is time for that to change. It is time for all of us to work together to give all our children the life they deserve.”
Ms Nyland said authorities would need to act swiftly on some of her recommendations but others would require time and consultation.
“Some of these recommendations will need to be put into place in the near future to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children at risk of harm, abuse or neglect,” she said.
“Others will require medium to long-term planning and it will be important to engage the community in the implementation process.”
Ministers will consider Ms Nyland’s report over the weekend and discuss it at a Cabinet meeting on Monday before it is released publicly.
The father of a young boy abused by McCoole while in state care said he was disappointed his family and others affected would not be briefed on the findings ahead of time.
“It should be given to us before the rest of the world gets to see it, as we were the ones involved in what started it off,” he said. “Hopefully they do the right thing for these children.”
Belinda Valentine, the grandmother of Chloe Valentine who died in 2012 after being subject to multiple notifications to Families SA, said the report should have been made public once it was delivered to the Governor.
“We’ve waited a long time and children have suffered. How much longer do we have to wait?” she said.
Opposition child protection spokeswoman Rachel Sanderson said the public deserved the see the report as soon as possible.
“It should be open to the public on the day that they said it would be delivered,” she said.