Queensland Premier accused of ‘cover up’ over death of toddler Mason Lee
FURY is growing in Queensland as a report over terrible death of toddler Mason Lee is kept hidden from the public by the government.
A REPORT into the death of toddler Mason Jet Lee will not be publicly released until charges against his mum, her former partner and another man have gone through the courts.
Queensland Family and Child Commissioner Cheryl Vardon on Monday handed down her “post-death” reaction to the 22-month-old’s death.
She recommended an overhaul of the way government departments review cases. But the more detailed Child Death Case Review Panel report was not released, because Director of Public Prosecutions Michael Byrne QC told cabinet it could prejudice the proceedings of the three people charged with Mason’s June 2016 death.
Opposition child safety spokeswoman Ros Bates accused the government of a cover- up that “stinks to high heaven”.
“The premier announced last year that she would release all of the findings into Mason Jet Lee’s death. What we see now is a report that tells you nothing,” she said on Monday.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk defended the cabinet decision and promised to release the report once the court matters had been finalised. Ms Palaszczuk said the government would also spend $40.8 million over four years to provide more frontline staff to work with families and better co-ordinate health and child protection systems.
Mason was found dead in his Caboolture home in June 2016.
Three child safety staff were stood down in November over their handling of his case, while another nine are facing disciplinary action following a departmental review.
