Stand down the Minister of Human Services Jackie Petrusma

The Shooters and Fishers Party Tasmania call for the Premier to immediately stand down the Minister of Human Services Jackie Petrusma

The Shooters and Fishers Party Tasmania call for the Premier to immediately stand down the Minister of Human Services Jackie Petrusma pending a review of Child Protection Services.

The department and minister responsible must be held accountable for the manner in has been managing children in protective services and also for the apparent lack of support and resources made available to foster carers who appear to have been dis-in-franchised by the actions of the department.

SFP Tasmania also calls for an independent enquiry regarding the governance of this Department regarding its staffing levels, client load levels and commitments, safety, standard of service to the most vulnerable members of our community, children and also support for the carers who in the main, play an outstanding role for little reward.

The escalating drama involving Child Protection and agencies involved contracted by and paid from the public purse by the Tasmanian Government for foster parenting is becoming untenable. Is has become evident over recent months with the public disclosures made by various parties that this Department is without proper leadership and appears to be in a state of chaos.

Based on recent reports, the child protection process, for which Minister Petrusma is accountable, contracts to external agencies for some foster care services is and it appears they are systematically ignoring the welfare of children in foster care in lieu of profits. It is evident that there is a lack of governance and proper oversight regarding the delivery of these services.

The State government is refusing to state what we; the tax papers are paying “Not for Profit Agencies” such as ” Key Assets “for the service they operate in this State. In light of the recent child abuse Royal Commission evidence and determinations SFP Tasmania believe all child services should be provided by State Government under a competent Minister and managers implementing proper governance and oversight. Specialized staff should be able to be sourced locally from the many that were recently made redundant from the Tasmanian Health Department.

One contracted provider is an overseas company owned by individuals who claim to be not for profit and who operate child welfare/carer s business overseas, as well under other agencies and have allegedly made millions in profits.

These children without proper support will struggle to assimilate to adulthood and the foster carers who are vital to the system will continue to withdraw their involvement.

This current system appears to be broken and dis functional. We urge the Premier to act immediately to ensure the most vulnerable members of the Tasmanian Community receive the service they deserve.
Adrian Pickin Press Liaison Officer Shooters & Fishers Party, Tas.