Minister contradicts herself on child protection staffing

Human Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma has been caught out manipulating child protection statistics to suit the Liberals’ political needs.

Last month in the midst of the ignored child protection notifications crisis, the Minister claimed caseloads on the North West Coast were lower than in other regions, now she is trying the same trick when discussing the North.

“I am advised there are more staff and fewer cases allocated per worker in the North-West than other regions,” (Jacquie Petrusma, 17th August 2015)

“The particular claims they make today are again wrong – in fact, the caseload in the North is the lowest in the state, at an average of 12 cases per worker.” (Jacquie Petrusma, 29th September 2015)

Shadow Human Services Minister Rebecca White said Ms Petrusma should stop treating child protection staff with contempt.

“The Minister has directly contradicted herself,” Ms White said.

“Every time a legitimate staffing issue is raised, the Minister tries to play it down.

“It would appear Ms Petrsuma makes up the stats for political convenience.

“The bottom line is that staff in child protection are under enormous pressure with unworkable caseloads.

“Despite the shocking revelation that 151 notifications were ignored for months on the North West Coast, the Minister still fails to acknowledge there is a problem.

“The Opposition continues to have a severe lack of confidence in the Minister’s capacity to do her job.”
Rebecca White MP Shadow Human Services Minister