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Brumby Govt Failing Gippsland’S Most Vulnerable ChildrenThe Nationals’ Member for Morwell Russell Northe has called on the Brumby Government to urgently support vulnerable children and child protection workers across Gippsland, By Russell Northe - 12th August 2009 - Back to News Following the Community Services minister’s damning revelations on the Neil Mitchell program today.
Labor Minister Lisa Neville admitted that 60 percent of child protection cases in Gippsland were unallocated to an ongoing case worker and conceded that her department was "struggling" to recruit and retain staff in the region.
"I whole-heartedly agree with Minister Neville’s concession that the situation is totally unacceptable and I would add untenable," Mr Northe said today.
"A Productivity Commission report highlights that the Brumby Labor Government’s annual spending on child protection and out of home care is the lowest in the country."
The Nationals MLA said Victoria’s spending of $282.93 per child was 28.3 per cent less than the Australian average of $394.56.
"No wonder the system is stretched to breaking point," he said.
"As a father, my heart breaks for the abused and neglected children in our community.
"As politicians, I believe one of our core responsibilities is to put in place laws and systems that protect those who are unable to protect themselves.
"Minister Neville’s interview today clearly shows the Brumby government is failing in this regard – failing to protect local at-risk children and failing to support Gippsland’s child protection workers."
Mr Northe said he thought child protection was one of the most challenging professions to work in.
"I stand in awe of those who day in, day out work to give these kids a better deal in life. How demanding and thankless but so damn important their role is in our society."
Mr Northe said it was vital that workers were afforded the support and resources necessary to perform their duties and the reward required to ensure their valuable skills and experience were not lost from the system.
"Instead of promptly addressing the need for more staff and greater funding Minster Neville has for too long swept the problem under the carpet," he said.
"The burden of responsibility lies with the Minister to protect vulnerable children in our region".
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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