[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_Child Protection Needs More Dedicated Resources_C O'Connor MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

GREENS CALL ON GOVERNMENT TO GUARANTEE MORE RESOURCES FOR CHILD
PROTECTION
 
Cassy O'Connor MP
Greens Shadow Health Spokesperson

Wednesday, 20 August 2008
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens today called on the Health Minister to acknowledge
child protection services in Tasmania are under significant strain, and
to commit to providing more funding and resources irrespective of the
outcome of the review of child protection currently underway.

Greens Shadow Health spokesperson, Cassy O'Connor MP, tabled a Motion
calling on the House to acknowledge that child protection workers
themselves are saying the system is under-resourced and under-funded. 

"I am aware that in July this year, the Health Minister ordered a review
of child protection services on the North West coast in response to a
specific tragic case involving a three year old child," Ms O'Connor
said.

"The Greens look forward to seeing the outcomes of that review process,
but it cannot be allowed to drag on indefinitely while children are
still at risk in our communities"

"Indeed, whatever the outcome of the review, the issues are real and
pressing. They have been described by workers in the field repeatedly so
the Health Minister cannot deny the reality of the crisis at hand and
the fact that children are being placed at risk as a result."

"The Minister needs to commit to persuading her Cabinet colleagues that
more resources are needed to improve early support programs for families
at risk, as well as more funding and human resources to provide the
strongest possible child protection framework in Tasmania."

"As part of that process, the Minister must ensure any additional
funding for staff is accompanied by a recruitment strategy to fill those
positions as a matter of urgency," Ms O'Connor said.



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