Royal Commissioner Margaret Nyland to make 260 recommendations into child protection crisis
A ROYAL Commission report into the state’s child protection system will make 260 recommendations to safeguard young people in SA.
A ROYAL Commission report into the state’s child protection system will make 260 recommendations to safeguard young people in SA.
Child Protection Reform Minister John Rau said the findings by Commissioner Margaret Nyland would be released publicly on Monday and ran across 850 pages.
“Commissioner Margaret Nyland has undertaken a huge task over the past two years and warns there is no quick fix to the system,” Mr Rau said.
“The non-government sector has asked us to consult with them in responding to the report and it is our intention to do so.”
However, the Opposition has urged Parliament be reconvened this week to deal with the urgent reforms to combat the state’s child protection crisis.
Despite the report being released tomorrow, the findings would not be considered by Parliament until it sits on September 20.
Opposition Leader Steven Marshall said the findings must be implemented swiftly and accused the Government of “sitting on its hands” when it came to child protection.
“We’ve waited two years for this report ... we do not believe we should be waiting another 43 days for Parliament to consider the recommendations,” Mr Marshall said.
“We don’t want any more delays, we want action on child protection, and we want it now.
“The Government has ignored the calls of the Opposition for an extended period of time regarding separating child protection from the education department.
“This was a mistake and something the Government failed to take action on, so the Opposition will not stand for further delays to correction the child protection crisis.”
The Royal Commission was sparked by the arrest of Shannon McCoole, a former Families SA carer, who was convicted of heinous sexual offences against seven young children in his care between January 2011 and June 2014.
Ms Nyland released interim recommendations in June to separate Families SA from the Education and Child Development Department and to hire a new chief executive with qualifications in the field — both points that the Government accepted.
Recruitment is under way.