Ms ANDERSON - 2010-10-21
In light of information brought to this House by the member for Braitling, waiting times for childcare placement in Alice Springs are now running at a disappointing 12 months. Will you relieve the burden of working mothers in Alice Springs by asking your colleagues in Canberra for help to reduce the use of these childcare placements for children under care and protection orders?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am on the record stating that my department has been asking for assistance from other jurisdictions. My department is actively recruiting people, and will recruit more people than we promised in last year’s budget. We know we have a serious problem, and we are trying to get any help we can at the moment in order to address this situation.
It is difficult to place children; it is difficult to find carers. The government is considering how to make it more attractive for people to become carers, either by providing more training or better remuneration. It is something I already have online. My department is considering all these options, and we will have further announcements in the near future.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am on the record stating that my department has been asking for assistance from other jurisdictions. My department is actively recruiting people, and will recruit more people than we promised in last year’s budget. We know we have a serious problem, and we are trying to get any help we can at the moment in order to address this situation.
It is difficult to place children; it is difficult to find carers. The government is considering how to make it more attractive for people to become carers, either by providing more training or better remuneration. It is something I already have online. My department is considering all these options, and we will have further announcements in the near future.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016