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Legislative Assembly 2625
Tuesday 21 Aug 2007

Ms BOYLE: On investigation if it is discovered that officers in my department have in any way performed less than adequately in protecting those children, indeed it should then be a matter for the opposition and other members of this parliament to question me closely and to then express their dismay about poor performance. However, I say to opposition members and all other members that if they wish to ask a question that is relevant to any of the children in care in Queensland, for the sake of those children they should first ask it privately.

Under a cloak of secrecy, the Federal Government last week hosted a top-level meeting of defence chiefs from 19 nations ahead of next month's APEC meeting, also in Sydney. Included were regional chiefs from US, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia.

“For legal practitioners to delay court proceedings to the benefit of alleged pedophiles and child abusers is abhorrent and I commend Judge Helen O’Sullivan on behalf of child victims for her recent stand against these avoidable delays.

“The Department of Child Safety and the Police do as much as they can to bring offenders before the courts, and it is important for the justice system to recognise the emotional impacts delays can have on child victims.

"In Parliament today the Minister used the excuse of there being a shortage of foster carers which is already well documented," she said.

"It is common knowledge there is a shortage of foster carers and experienced staff. Whilst the majority do a wonderful job there are some who do not, which raises the question of whether the children would be better off with their own parents if they were given intensive, regular support."

Sourced:
http://www.qldcoalition.org.au/news/article.aspx?ID=1434

Wednesday, 8 August 2007

Coalition Shadow Minister for Child Safety Jann Stuckey is urging the Minister for Child Safety review all cases where there are more than three children living in a foster home.

In Parliament today, Ms Stuckey highlighted inadequacies within the existing Child Safety legislation that allows foster carers to have unlimited numbers of children under their roof.

She cited one case where 13 children and two adults were living in a four bedroom home.

11 July 2007
Estimates Committee B—Child Safety 11 Jul 2007

In Attendance
Hon. D Boyle, Minister for Child Safety
Mr G Carlyon, Senior Policy Advisor to the Minister for Child Safety

Department of Child Safety
Ms N Deeth, Director-General (Acting)
Ms K Mandla, Deputy Director-General (Acting)
Ms D Mulkerin, Executive Director, Child Safety Services Division Committee

For a copy of this transcript, click on link below, 'search' for 'Dept. Child Safety' in Hansards
http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/

Jann Stuckey MP, Shadow Minister for Child Safety has today called for Child Affected Hearings to be given priority and for delays to be avoided.

“It is becoming obvious the child protection system is not adequately supporting children who have already suffered extreme trauma at the hands of abusers.
“I have recently had complaints to my office about children who were sexually abused being strung along and having to wait out unnecessary delays before their hearing.