The Tasmanian Greens Children’s spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP today welcomed the undertaking from the Minister for Children to move to amend the State’s framework for child death review processes, but described the delay as frustrating.
“Last year in Budget Estimates I asked the Minister about the lack of child death review teams within the State’s framework. At that stage Tasmania and the ACT were the only two national jurisdictions that did not have such teams,” Mr O’Halloran said.
“Other states have designated teams of experts responsible for examining information about child deaths in order to develop policies and prevent or reduce child deaths.”
“In New South Wales, for example, whenever a child dies the cause is recorded by the child death review team, which advises the government on policy.”
“When I asked about Tasmania introducing designated child death review teams 12 months ago, the Minister told the Committee that ‘we are developing a framework for child death review processes in Tasmania’ and was awaiting advice from the Solicitor General.”
“Twelve months later we now hear that some form of reviewed child death review framework proposal will be going to Cabinet.”
“The Greens welcome this as a step forward, however we will scrutinise closely any proposed reforms to ensure that they meet community expectations,” Mr O’Halloran said.
Paul O’Halloran MP Greens Children’s Spokesperson Tuesday, 4 June 2013
