DATE: Thursday, 3rd June 2021 HEADLINE Aboriginal People Should Be Responsible for Aboriginal Children LEAD Thirteen years ago, the formal apology to Australia's Indigenous peoples, particularly to the Stolen Generations, we see Government departments today, still removing Aboriginal Children from their families, culture, and communities without consultation or inclusion from Elders and at a rate higher than non-indigenous children and young people. The Child Protection Party is disappointed to hear the removal of a baby from its biological mother just hours after being born due to a perceived threat of abuse and neglect. BODY We are nearing the end of National Reconciliation Week in Western Australia, a time for all to reflect and consider the history and future of Aboriginal people just thirteen...
MEDIA RELEASE DATE: 13 November 2020 OPINION: The SA Government is failing in its duty of care towards South Australian children A reflection South Australia’s outcomes framework for children and young people Lead It is important to understand that those involved in formulating these outcomes had the best intentions in mind. Whether or not they were able to predict future outcomes or influence the decisions of governments who will ultimately determine the outcomes is a completely different issue. Body It is perhaps unhelpful to begin with a negative attitude but rather to consider what is being offered and whether or not it will provide the outcomes required for the most vulnerable in our community. I will begin by quoting what...
Photo credit: The Big Lunch on Visualhunt.com / CC BY-SA MEDIA RELEASE DATE: 28 June 2020 HEADLINE Kinship care is under assault in Australia. LEAD When a child is at risk of harm the first place that Child Protection Services look for an appropriate carer is within the family… There is no legislative provision which protects the rights of kinship or foster parents. BODY Kinship care is under assault in Australia. When a child is at risk of harm the first place that child protection services look for an appropriate carer is within the family. When a family member is identified and proves that a child will be safe in their care then the department will formally place the child with...
MEDIA RELEASE DATE: 28 October 2020 Headline SA Department of Child Protection CEO, Cathy Taylor, MUST be dismissed. Lead The revelation by the ABC on 26th October 2020 that the CEO of South Australia’s Department of Child Protection (DCP), Cathy Taylor, remained unaware of the sexual assault, pregnancy and termination of that pregnancy of a 14-year-old girl in State care is yet another failure by the Department to care for a South Australian child. Body The CEO of the DCP has a legal obligation to ensure that all children are safe from harm. For it to be reported recently that a 14-year-old child was sexually assaulted and fell pregnant and that those responsible for this child chose not to report...
DATE: 12 October 2020 Headline Kinship care is under assault in Australia. Lead When a child is at risk of harm the first place that Child Protection Services look for an appropriate carer is within the family… There is no legislative provision which protects the rights of kinship or foster parents. Body Kinship care is under assault in Australia. When a child is at risk of harm the first place that child protection services look for an appropriate carer is within the family. When a family member is identified and proves that a child will be safe in their care then the department will formally place the child with the carer. Because this is the first and most appropriate placement...
