The Liberals’ Vicki Dunne has announced she’s moving No Confidence in the Community Services Minister Joy Burch after some pretty horrible neglect of children in care has come to light.
“In 2004 the Vardon Report found children were in a ‘system which has been failing, staff with workloads that simply could not be met, adversarial attitudes between people meant to be working together for children and high staff turnover at all levels,’” Mrs Dunne said today.
“Last year, the Public Advocate found ‘managerial deficiencies, poor communication and inadequate executive briefing that allowed the breaching of legislation and policies and procedures, that have had a serious and detrimental impact on children for whom the Director General has parental responsibility.’
“And just last week, the Public Advocate confirmed the findings of both reports, citing ‘systemic problems,’ ‘reactive culture,’ ‘defensive environment and workplace’ and elements of the 2004 Vardon report remaining ‘relevant today.’
”This is the track record of a Minister who is simply not up to the job. The ACT?s most vulnerable children rely on Joy Burch?s abilities, and she has let them down.
“The only way to ensure these children receive the care they deserve is for Joy Burch to return to the back bench, and for Katy Gallagher to establish a full inquiry into the serious failings of the child protection system.
But will the Greens stand by the Government on this?