Human Service Minister Jacquie Petrusma is refusing to say whether she met her department in the three weeks before the crisis in child protection became public.
“This leaves a huge question mark over Ms Petrusma’s handling of her portfolio and raises serious concerns over whether the Minister has the confidence of the department,” Ms White said.
“Why is Ms Petrusma continuing to dodge such a crucial question over whether she met with her department?
“It is inconceivable that if the department met with Ms Petrusma they would not tell her of the child protection crisis.
“It is standard practice for Ministers to receive regular weekly updates from departmental heads to be briefed on emerging issues.
“It is unprecedented that the department would brief unions before actually telling the Minister.
“We know that the Minister’s office was aware of the crisis last Thursday, if not earlier, yet Ms Petrusma is still maintaining she didn’t know until Monday.
“Ministerial accountability is at the heart of this issue and Ms Petrusma is ultimately responsible for this mess.”
Rebecca White MP Shadow Minister for Health and Human Services
