Mr MILLS - 2004-06-17
The Darwin Child Protection Services has undertaken industrial action in order to get their workloads under control. Today, the headline on the front page of the NT News is, ‘Kids working as prostitutes’. Labor has been in government for nearly three years and things are getting worse. Will you commission an independent inquiry into child protection in the Northern Territory so we can find out what is wrong and where we need to go?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, if the Leader of the Opposition had been interested to listen to the answer from the minister previously, he would understand that the issue within the child protection area is being dealt with; that, under the previous government, it was chronically underfunded. We have increased that funding considerably. If you look around Australia, it is a very difficult area. I certainly want to put on the record in this House our support for those who work in that area. I believe there is something like 55 staff, and we know what a difficult job they do - and an important job for the Territory.
We have increased the funding. We are working with those in that area to make sure that the job they have to do is well supported. The resolution yesterday of those industrial issues is an important one. I am confident we are on course, because this government has made a commitment to the child protection area. We have put the funds in; we are concerned. It starkly compares with what the CLP said, but did not do, when they were in office.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, if the Leader of the Opposition had been interested to listen to the answer from the minister previously, he would understand that the issue within the child protection area is being dealt with; that, under the previous government, it was chronically underfunded. We have increased that funding considerably. If you look around Australia, it is a very difficult area. I certainly want to put on the record in this House our support for those who work in that area. I believe there is something like 55 staff, and we know what a difficult job they do - and an important job for the Territory.
We have increased the funding. We are working with those in that area to make sure that the job they have to do is well supported. The resolution yesterday of those industrial issues is an important one. I am confident we are on course, because this government has made a commitment to the child protection area. We have put the funds in; we are concerned. It starkly compares with what the CLP said, but did not do, when they were in office.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016