INDEPENDENT NEWS

Dragging The Chain On Social Worker Registration

Published: Wed 5 Sep 2001 04:41 PM
Government Dragging The Chain On Social Worker Registration
The Social Welfare Minister's bid to have social workers registered is not moving nearly fast enough, says National's Social Services spokesperson, Bob Simcock.
"Steve Maharey's Social Workers Registration Bill, tabled in Parliament this week, is proof that the Government sees improving social work as a low priority.
"The Mick Brown report into the Child Youth and Family Service recommended that registration should be advanced urgently and that by the middle of next year, no social worker should be exercising statutory powers unless they are registered.
"Yet under the Government's programme, no social workers will be registered before 2004, and there is no commitment that Mick Brown's target will be met any time after that.
"The Government knows that social worker registration carries with it significant cost implications, so it is dragging the chain.
"If, as the Minister has repeatedly claimed, the registration of social workers is needed to build the credibility of the social work profession, he should be giving the issue top priority," Bob Simcock said.
Ends

Next in New Zealand politics

Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
By: New Zealand Government
GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan
By: New Zealand Government
New Zealand Provides Further Humanitarian Support To Gaza And The West Bank
By: New Zealand Government
High Court Judge Appointed
By: New Zealand Government
Parliamentary Network Breached By The PRC
By: New Zealand Government
Tax Cuts Now Even More Irresponsible
By: New Zealand Labour Party
View as: DESKTOP | MOBILE © Scoop Media