24 January 2001

Rosemarie Thomas
Social Services Spokesperson

Let’s Get Real About The Bonuses To CYFS

Christian Heritage Social Services spokesperson, Rosemarie Thomas commenting on the recent uproar regarding CYFS bonuses, claimed that the media and Act were over-reacting and treating a complex issue simplistically. “With regard to the bonuses, before blowing these up in the media, proper investigations should have been made into the details of the spending. Such outbursts and negative reporting only further increase the public’s disillusionment and panic with CYFS.”

Rosemarie Thomas went on, “It is also unreasonable to blame CYFS for the deaths and abuse of children when in reality first and foremost inadequate caregivers and irresponsible family members fail to protect their own offspring. CYFS’s role is to protect children, young people and their families. They do this to the best of their ability with the limited resources they have, and prevent many cases of abuse and neglect and do a lot of ‘protection’. Tragedies such as the death of Daniel Marshall could have been prevented, but not everyone can be prevented – it would be somewhat like blaming the police for every burglary or act of vandalism!

“Given the way some in the media and some in the community treat CYFS, perhaps it is understandable that large bonuses have to be paid out to people working in these conditions. Their work of rescuing children all year is little appreciated. Since they have no social esteem in their jobs (unlike the police), it is understandable that financial incentives are necessary in order to keep staff!”

Rosemarie Thomas continued “Families and communities must take responsibility to look after vulnerable children and partner with CYFS to make their policies work. Then the tax dollars that go into the system will be well worth it.”

“If ever there was a time that the Government should take a closer look at Christian Heritage’s policies it is now,” she said. “We do have answers – nearly all our policies are there to help families. The more families can be assisted to stay together, the better our country will be. Also with better support, CYFS’s work will be so much easier,” she concluded.

Contact: Rosemarie Thomas can be contact on either (025) 846 627 or (04) 939 8466
Party Leader Graham Capill (021) 661 766

© Scoop Media