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New Child Laws Could Spell End To VolunteeringThe Bracks Government’s proposed Working with Children laws will deter people from volunteering throughout Victoria, Shadow Minister for Country Victoria Philip Davis said today. By Philip Davis - 21st March 2005 - Back to News Forcing volunteers to undergo mandatory Working with Children Bill checks, as proposed by the Bracks Government, will have a disastrous affect on organizations that rely on volunteers, Mr Davis said.
Mr Davis said the laws would disproportionately impact country Victoria because sport and recreational groups in regional areas are heavily dependent on their volunteers.
"Anyone over the age of 14 who works on a volunteer basis in any capacity with children will be required to undergo these new Working with Children checks," Mr Davis said.
"Parents who are involved in their children’s sporting, schooling or extra curricular activities won’t be spared, unless the activity directly involves their own child.
"For example, a father will be exempt from having a check if they coach the local Under 10 footy team in which his son is a player – but he will be forced to undergo a check if he coaches the Under 12 team while his child plays in the younger side.
"Those who volunteer less than four times a year and no more than twice a month will also be exempt, which will be an unnecessary burden on volunteer organisations who will be required to keep records."
Mr Davis said the Liberal Party supported mandatory checks on all paid employees working with children, but checks for those donating their time in a voluntary capacity should not be mandatory.
He said the responsibility for volunteer checks should rest with the organisation, that way the organisation can assess their own particular need for the checks. Mr Davis said organisations relying on volunteer labour could ill-afford the costs associated with mandatory Working with Children checks.
"Any costs associated with the checks, be they borne by the individual volunteer or the organisation, will have a detrimental affect on the volunteering process," Mr Davis said.
"Individuals will be less likely to volunteer if they are expected to fork out $50 to $120 for a check.
"Likewise, the cost of the checks will be completely out of reach for some organisations that are completely non-profit.
"The Bracks Government is also proposing severe legal and financial penalties for organisations that employ people without a Working with Children check, along with those who volunteer their services without having a check. Volunteer groups are already drowning in layers of red tape, without severe re-working, this legislation will add to this burden and spell the end of volunteering in our communities."
Mr Davis said the Liberal Party was in full support of protecting our children from predators, but this legislation needed further work and consideration to ensure volunteer organisations don’t suffer.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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