Wednesday, 19 June 2024

Ministers statements: child protection

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:11): Today I wish to acknowledge the coroner’s findings in the case of XY, who passed away in 2021. The death of any young person in any circumstance is tragic, and I express my condolences to family, friends and the communities that they belonged to and were connected to. As is appropriate, the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing cooperated with the coroner in their inquiry and will respond to their recommendations in line with the timeframe. I also take this opportunity to thank the coroner for their work and to acknowledge these findings across the more than 200-page report.

Last year at the Yoorrook Justice Commission I apologised formally and unreservedly for the harm caused by the historical removal of First Peoples children from their families, their communities and their country. I also acknowledged that there are real and lasting legacies in the form of unconscious bias and systemic racism that need to be identified and removed. On becoming minister I knew that there was significant work to do to address these harms. Last year, with the support of this house, we passed the statement of recognition bill, which changed the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 to introduce a statement of recognition and recognition principles, legislate all five elements of the Aboriginal child placement principle and expand authorisations to the Aboriginal Children in Aboriginal Care program to include investigative functions and powers. This was in recognition that First Peoples are best placed to lead and inform responses for First Peoples children and families.

First Peoples self-determined policies and programs are and will continue to be a significant lever for destabilising structural inequality and systemic racism. That is why we made the single largest investment of $140 million in the 2023–24 budget to support Aboriginal community controlled organisations to provide culturally safe child protection services and keep children living with their families and communities. In addition, as I have previously advised this house, we knew we had to do more to support children and young people in residential care, which is why we have invested a record $548 million in the 2023–24 budget towards delivering improved outcomes for children in residential care. This included funding to ensure all children in resi care are supported to access therapeutic supports by 2025–26. I again acknowledge the coroner’s findings – (Time expired)