Government Puts Cuts Ahead of Children
Friday, 30 September 2011 13:45 | 
Written by Jacquie | 
| 
Jacquie Petrusma MP
Shadow Minister for Children
Friday Sept 30, 2011
It is clear the Green-Labor Government has its priorities all wrong.
It is appalling that saving money is being put before the welfare of our most vulnerable children.
There have been 12 reports on child protection and 421 recommendations, with the same deficiencies being exposed.
Cutting child protection will not address those deficiencies and improve the care of Tasmania's children at risk, it will only make matters worse.
The Commissioner for Children, the Australian Childhood Foundation, the Auditor-General and the unions have all strongly expressed concerns that child protection should not be subject to budget cuts.
Any short cuts made in child protection can have lifetime implications, and greater long-term social health and financial costs down the track.
Already senior practice consultants who provide critical oversight for decision-making in child protection, have been given alternative duties.
There is less oversight, less staff on the ground, and all of this will mean more work for the already over-stretched staff remaining. If mistakes are made under these circumstances, it will be children put at risk.
Minister O'Byrne must also explain why she has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars creating a new position for a Deputy Secretary to head up an Office of Children at the same time as slashing frontline staff in child protection.
Where are your priorities Minister?
