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Mr
WILL HODGMAN (Franklin - Leader of the
Opposition) - I rise to make a contribution on this
matter of public importance which was of course
brought to the House in very good faith. It is not
retreading ground over which we have been; rather it
is revisiting a very important issue that I know is
at the forefront of all members' minds. I do not
doubt that. I want to also place on record and make
the point that observations made about the system,
and criticism and observation about what are, by any
stretch, disturbing statistics and accounts of
reality, are not a reflection on individuals who
work within the system. No-one doubts that they
apply themselves to their tasks with a great degree
of commitment under very difficult circumstances and
in a highly emotive workplace.
Our
point is, and remains, that responsibility for the
system ultimately lies with the Government. Of
course we appreciate that there is a substantive
review in place. We raise this matter of public
importance today in that context and we look forward
to what the review contains, and what
recommendations, strategies and initiatives will be
implemented to ensure that the system is improved.
There is a critical need for this to happen. Of all
the reports that were tabled yesterday it is
regrettable that this one has not been made
available for parliamentary scrutiny this week.
Obviously that will not deny us the opportunity to
look at it down the track and we have further
sitting days in which we will do that.
I just
wanted to place that on record because it is
important for those who follow the debate and who
are interested in the subject to note that our
motivations are most certainly sincere. I can say
from a personal perspective, having worked in child
protection in the United Kingdom for two years as a
prosecutor, I have been exposed to horrific
incidents of neglect and abuse. It would be foolish
for anyone to assume that they do not occur here. I
know no-one is denying the problem exists. In fact
it is very refreshing to hear a minister say that
there is a real problem in the system and to in fact
concede that things have got worse for a number of
reasons. We look forward, then, in a positive sense,
to what this review will show and what it will
propose in terms of structural reform to ensure that
the system, which is the responsibility of
government, improves.
The
Department of Health report highlights a number of
disturbing issues that have already been referred
to. An important point to note, of course, is that
incidents of neglect and abuse amongst children have
significant ramifications for their long-term
futures. There are disturbing trajectories in the
youth justice system, for example, which then impose
further constraints on that department. I understand
that there has, in fact, been a report done by the
University of Tasmania, specifically in relation to
this matter, which highlights the impact that abuse
and neglect have in correctional services. It is
well documented of course and it is a matter that
compounds on other departments, on their budgets and
indeed on our society on a whole. The Commissioner
for Children did leave saying that the system got
worse over the period he was here. We know that the
Productivity Commission shows Tasmania spends well
below the national average on child protection and
out-of-home care services per child. The Northern
Territory spends $8 million more a year than
Tasmania and the ACT spends more than $2 million per
year than Tasmania.
I make these points because I do say, quite clearly,
that responsibility for the system lies with the
State Government. We will continue to raise this
matter in an appropriate way and in a manner that is
sensitive to all interested parties. I appreciate
what the minister has had to say. We look forward to
the release of the review and hopefully a
significant improvement in this very important area.
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