Minister caught out on child protection staff numbers

Human Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma has failed to address questions of staffing in child protection.

Shadow Minister Rebecca White this morning asked why 61 workers are currently employed in southern Tasmania instead of the required 73.

On Wednesday the Minister gave the Parliament the impression that this wasn’t the case. Ms Petrusma said:

“We are sticking to the same business rules that the previous government had with the union. The numbers are still as they were.” Human Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma (Question Time 4/3/2015)

“If this is the case why are the figures 20% below the agreed and acceptable levels?,” Ms White said.

“This is so serious that today the CPSU will lodge a dispute with the Tasmanian Industrial Commission with an order that the Minister immediately commences recruitment to fill all positions,” Ms White said.

“The Minister should admit that the reason investigations have fallen 30 per cent under her watch is because she has not employed critical staff.

“Why isn’t the Minister urgently trying to fill these positions?

“Instead the Government is placing children at legitimate risk.

“Outrageously Jacquie Petrusma tried to blame Labor for the difficulty associated with recruiting child protection staff.

“The irony of this would not be lost on anyone who observed how the Liberals politicised the sector while in opposition.”
Rebecca White MP Shadow Human Services Minister