The Liberal Government needs to finally realise that staffing levels in child protection are inadequate and that the time has come to properly support its workforce.
Shadow Human Services Minister Rebecca White said the onus is on Jacquie Petrusma to step in and resolve the stand-off between the DHHS and unions.
“Despite a crisis on the North West Coast and industrial action from her workforce, Jacquie Petrusma still doesn’t seem to realise there’s a problem in child protection,” Ms White said.
“The Minister is right when she says the welfare of vulnerable children needs to come first, but that can only happen if staff are properly supported.
“The staff are taking this action because they have genuine concerns about their capacity to provide appropriate support to Tasmania’s vulnerable children.
“The Minister’s hands-off approach in her portfolio is leaving staff feeling unsupported.
“The Government benefited from an additional $590 million in GST revenue in the last Budget. There’s an obligation to spend some of that money on essential services.”
Rebecca White MP Shadow Human Services Minister
