Nice Try Maharey

The National Party says the extra $12 million dollars for Child Youth and Family this year will come too late for hundreds of children who’re already slipping through the safety net.

“This Minister’s inaction and ineptitude has reached epic proportions,” says the National Party’s Social Services spokeswoman Katherine Rich.

“In one sentence Steve Maharey claims the additional funding will enable CYFS to meet the greater than expected demand now being experienced for its services.

“However, in the next sentence he blames National for the Department’s required top up.

“But two years ago Principal Youth Court Judge Mick Brown highlighted major problems within CYFS.

“Judge Brown pin-pointed a lack of training, heavy case loads, lack of personal attention to cases and under funding for some of its problems.

“This Minister has failed to implement a number of key recommendations, including a target for zero unallocated cases within six months of the report.

“As at the end of September this year there were still nearly 1,400 unallocated cases - that is unacceptable,” Katherine Rich says.

“The briefing papers to the incoming Minister showed some staff were not receiving training, or ongoing professional development and minimal induction because of a lack of money.

“I say that’s the real reason the Minister has been required to top up CYFS.

“Steve Maharey’s had three full years and billions of dollars worth of surplus to address Child Youth and Family’s shortcomings.

“No diversion of blame can alter the fact that failures by CYFS result in tragic outcomes in cases like Olympia Jetson and Saliel Howse,” Katherine Rich says.

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