Minister Jacquie Petrusma lies over child protection issue

 Government admits Minister lied over child protection issue
 Jacquie Petrusma was given four chances to tell the truth over her involvement
 Minister must explain her full involvement and why she lied

Human Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma must today respond to the extraordinary evidence of her lying over a child protection issue.

Shadow Child Safety Minister Josh Willie said the Minister must explain why she repeatedly failed to tell the truth on camera about her involvement in the release of information regarding the controversial Safe Pathways.

“Minister Petrusma blatantly lied about a child protection matter. Four times she was asked about her involvement in the issue and four times she failed to tell the truth.

ABC Journalist: Have you had any discussions about delaying the release of a Safe Pathways RTI request?
Jacquie Petrusma: Any RTI requests are being handled arm’s-length to me.
ABC Journalist: So you have not heard about any RTI requests being delayed?
Jacquie Petrusma: No, I haven’t.

“The Government was later forced to admit that the Minister had lied.

“This is a Minister of the Crown prepared to lie over an issue as critical as child protection.

“Jacquie Petrusma today needs to reveal the extent of her and her office’s involvement in blocking the release of child protection information.

“The Minister told reporters that the Government is “unable to release the reviews” into Safe Pathways. This confirms she is not at “arms-length” from the process.

“Jacquie Petrusma must explain why she decided to lie about her involvement.”
Josh Willie MLC Shadow Minister for Housing, Disability & Child Safety