Profits more important than protection under Petrusma

 Petrusma has known about vulnerable children for at least four weeks
 Minister again highlights Hodgman government’s lack of transparency around critical issues
 Taxpayers continue to fund $400k each month for profit-making child protection group
 Minister should have been more open and transparent regarding situation and investigation
Child Protection Minister Jacqui Petrusma has admitted she was aware of 11 vulnerable children under the care of a for-profit organisation exposed as failing Tasmanian children by last night’s Four Corners program at least four weeks ago.
Shadow Child Safety Minister Josh Willie said Mrs Petrusma had failed to inform Tasmanians about the latest scandal under her watch until it was aired to a national television audience and had failed to act to properly ensure the children were safe.
“The Minister has admitted she knew very upsetting allegations about a shocking lack of care of Tasmanian children under the care of Safe Pathways were going to be made in early October,” Mr Willie said.
“She knew that this group is being funded by taxpayers to the tune of more than $9,000 for each child each week.
“Today Mrs Petrusma has admitted allegations pointed to a pattern of behaviour at least four weeks ago but 11 children remain under this residential program.
“The fact that a 12-year-old boy was allegedly living in appalling circumstances in a caravan park with limited access to food or clothing as recently as September shows that either Mrs Petrusma was completely hands-off or this boy was not being monitored.
“Today she has said that Safe Pathways are on a ‘close watch’ by the government and that a review of the program is underway.
“Yet 11 children remain under the care of the program which former employees allege is paid thousands of dollars each week but is failing to provide even adequate food, shelter or clothing.
“This is the same Minister who has presided over a child protection system where more than 150 reports of children potentially at risk were ignored and which saw an at-risk youth placed in a tent at the Hobart Showgrounds and where hard-working officers are being asked to cope with near-impossible case loads.
“This is the same Minister who is determined to fully privatise the child protection system in this state.
“Mrs Petrusma promised to fix the child protection system but the system remains in crisis. Her hands-off approach is not working for our most vulnerable kids.”
Josh Willie MLC Shadow Minister for Housing, Disability and Child Safety