Parties ‘close door’ on bipartisan Child Safety overhaul as Labor, LNP MPs argue
Carers have been left devastated after plans for a bipartisan overhaul of the crisis-ridden Child Safety system collapsed just three months after they were announced.
Gold Coast
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- Child safety crisis sparks official complaint to Public Guardian
- ‘Child Safety are prepared to let this child die’
THE overwhelming majority of Gold Coast candidates in the State poll support an overhaul of the Child Safety department.
Candidates have backed a Bulletin campaign launched after an investigation tracked a 12 year old homeless girl who Child Safety officers allowed to walk out of Gold Coast University Hospital and back onto the streets with gang members.
Talks between the LNP and Labor for a bipartisan child safety approach which would create a 24-7 service have stalled on the eve of Saturday’s poll.
Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon told the Bulletin: “Our offer is still there if they would like to do the right thing and work in the interests of the children.
“Unfortunately, what they have put forward lacks details and is not funded. Simply renaming the Department of Child Safety to a quasi-military force and ramming through a quasi-military structure will do nothing to help protect children in Queensland, nor will it help
with accountability.”
Ms Scanlon said the government has delivered record investment in child protection services during the last five years, allocating over $700 million and funded more than 500 new staff.
David Bark, the Palmer United Party candidate in Theodore, has called for an increase in resources allocated to the program.
“I would ensure the program has strong compliance systems and procedures in order to protect such a vulnerable segment of society,” he said.
Southport LNP MP Rob Molhoek said the Opposition’s plan had to be supported because the system was broken.
“The Queensland Auditor-General tabled its report into the Family Support and Child Protection System back in August of this year, which highlighted significant growth in cases and a system that is under a great deal of pressure and high demand,” he said.
“It signalled greater capacity was needed and a shared approach to child protection needs.”
Coomera Animal Justice Party candidate Darryl Prout told the Bulletin: “Violence has no place in our society and the AJP fully supports any efforts to protect those in our care, especially children and animals.”
Coomera independent Kris Bourbon was concerned about only renaming the department and not resourcing it.
“Having the agency operating 24 hours a day is a step in the right direction as
these problems do not pick a time of day or night,” he said.
Theodore independent Gale Oxenford questioned just renaming the department and believes improvements are needed including more resources.
Currumbin independent Dr Richard Stuckey told the Bulletin: “Over the past 20 years there have been many commissions and enquiries into child safety and literally hundreds of recommendations have been made and implemented. Simply renaming it doesn’t improve child protection.”
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told the Bulletin: “Nothing is more important than the safety of our children.
That’s why my government has been genuine in its attempts to engage with the LNP on this matter.
The LNP are the only ones who appear to have closed the door on bipartisanship.
However, a re-elected Palaszczuk Government would again provide the opportunity for the LNP to engage with the government and stakeholders on this very important matter.”
EARLIER:
LABOR and the LNP cannot agree on fixing the Child Safety crisis, despite reports of young children living on the streets and concerned carers being depressed and suicidal.
The Bulletin can reveal both major parties have “closed the door” on a bipartisan overhaul of the Child Safety system, less than three months after it was announced.
Foster carers who had lobbied for the reforms are devastated.
A foster carer with two decades of experience wrote: “Our most vulnerable children are being placed in situations under the watch of the Child Safety department that are often far worse than those they were removed from.”
Private agencies in “resi-care” were pocketing up to $1 million per child, the carer said.
“Children without food, without sheets on their beds and not attending school are hallmarks of this system,” the carer said.
Another long-term foster carer said the reforms should include an investigation into unsubstantiated harm reports.
“These demoralise good carers and there are quite a few carers who have taken their lives. We live for these kids,” the carer said.
“Someone needs to vet Child Safety officers’ work. So often there are empty files that go to court and the children are reunified.”
The ceasefire came after months of lobbying by the Bulletin to overhaul the system. Investigations by the newspaper included Child Safety officers escorting juveniles to score dope of their mother; kids going hungry despite taxpayers paying resi-care providers on average $500,000 per child each year; and children allowed to roam the streets homeless with street gangs.
Approached by the Bulletin for an update, Ms Farmer said Opposition frontbenchers Stephen Bennett and Ros Bates had both declined to attend meetings.
“(They) have both backed out of bipartisan meetings I have organised with Child Safety stakeholder organisations,” she said.
“Deb Frecklington and the LNP are yet to reveal to Queenslanders the full details of their Child Safety policy proposal and the cost of implementing it.
“It seems the LNP is more interested in grabbing headlines than keeping vulnerable young Queenslanders safe.”
But Mr Bennett said: “This is rich, coming from the Minister who has overseen an utter failure in child safety. We attended a briefing and provided a written submission for the Minister to consider.
“She chose not to back our plan. There is no bipartisanship when it comes to child safety.”
Ms Bates described the Palaszczuk Government as “the most uncaring” government after 18 children had died in suspicious circumstances in five years.
“I’ve been fobbed off by Labor’s Child Safety Minister when I asked her to urgently intervene to ensure a 12-year-old homeless girl was getting the care she needs. I’ve also written to the Queensland Mental Health Commissioner and the Public Trustee about this young girl whose mental and physical health is spiralling.”
Premier Palaszczuk said: “It is clear from Mr Bennett’s comment that the LNP have closed the door on a bipartisan approach and engagement with the government and stakeholders.
“If Deb Frecklington could show leadership and instruct her shadow ministers to take up the offer of bipartisanship on this very important issue, the door remains open.
“Until this time, Labor cannot comment on the LNP’s policy which lacks detail and does not appear to be properly costed.”
The plan would have turned the Department of Child Safety into a 24-hour “child protection force” akin to the Queensland Police Service.
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