TasCOSS commends the outgoing Commissioner for Children

TasCOSS commends the outgoing Commissioner for Children Mark Morrissey for his leadership as the independent voice for children in Tasmania.

CEO Kym Goodes said Mr. Morrissey’s resignation comes at a time when it has never been more important to ensure the needs of vulnerable children in Tasmania are heard and actioned.

The Child Protection Redesign, the Out of Home Care Review implementation needs to have a strong independent oversight to ensure the outcomes for the lives of children in care are improved.

“I echo Mr. Morrisey’s statement that now more than ever, government, organisations and communities need to be working together to improve outcomes for children.

“It is imperative that these systems are working to protect and empower all Tasmanian children, especially our at-risk kids,.

“Now is the time to pause and ensure that the true independence of the Commissioners role is examined: Do we have the best possible model to ensure our most vulnerable children and young people have a voice – not just to government but to parliament and the Tasmanian community?

“We need to protect children and young people and ensure the Government of the day is held accountable for the best interests of children and that there is no opportunistic politics played in this space.

“We need to explore models such as an independent statutory role – like the Ombudsman currently plays – to enable the Children’s Commissioner to report to Parliament, not Government.

“There is now an opportunity for both sides of politics to consider what actions we can take today, to get the best outcomes for Tasmanian children in to the future.

“The future lives of our kids are worth so much more than politics.”
TasCOSS CEO Kym Goodes