Published Tuesday, 05 June, 2007 at 03:35 PM
Minister for Child Safety
The Honourable Desley Boyle
More budget increases as child protection enters new phase
The Department of Child Safety’s 2007-08 budget has increased to $551.3 million – more than triple the $182 million allocated to child protection in 2003-04 before the new department was created.
The 2007-08 budget is an increase of $48.2 million or just under 10% on last year.
Child Safety Minister Desley Boyle said: “To more than triple our spending in four years shows the Queensland Government’s commitment to protecting children who are harmed or at risk of harm.
“After years of massive change this is the first budget not centred on the sweeping reforms recommended by the Crime and Misconduct Commission.
“With all 110 CMC recommendations implemented and a solid foundation in place we are moving from a period of intensive reform to a new phase of enhancing what we do.
“We will now work on improving and refining existing practices and developing new and improved policies and services as we continue to strengthen child protection.
“Evidence of this in our budget includes our new “One Chance at Childhood” initiative to focus on babies and toddlers and our “safe houses” initiative for Indigenous children in remote communities,” Ms Boyle said.
Child Safety’s 2007-08 budget highlights include:
• $12 million over four-years ($3 million in 2007-08) for the “One Chance at Childhood” initiative to recruit specialist staff to boost the protection of babies and toddlers and to find for them, when their own families cannot, a loving home;
• $19.1 million recurrent funding and $15.5 million capital funding over four years to strengthen child protection services in Indigenous communities. This includes establishing at least five “safe houses” for Indigenous children in Kowanyama, Doomadgee, Pormpuraaw, Aurukun and Weipa/Napranum. In addition a first placement house on Palm Island will be set up as part of the Government’s five point plan for Palm Island. There is also funding to establish office and residential accommodation so that Child Safety Officers can live near remote aboriginal communities on the Cape instead of flying in from Cairns;
• $4.8 million to hire about 13 additional Child Safety Officers, 29 additional Child Safety Support Officers and 16 additional court coordinators;
• $4 million to hire 53 permanent record keeping officers to ensure accurate, up-to-date records to assist in child protection;
• Other capital works spending includes $3.6 million for the development of residential care homes in Mackay, on the Gold Coast and the Darling Downs to address placement needs and $6.4 million to establish therapeutic residential homes in Cairns, Townsville and South East Queensland;
• $69.2 million directly to foster and kinship carers to support their important work caring for abused and neglected children;
• $4 million over four-years ($1 million in 2007-08) for non-government partners to deliver out-of-home care places for children in care with complex and extreme needs.
Ms Boyle said: “We are determined to stay at the forefront of child protection practice and service delivery in Australia as we face another challenging year.
“By June 2008 we anticipate having 7900 children in out-of-home care. During the 2007-08 financial year we expect to record about 73,500 concerns about a child’s safety or wellbeing with an estimated 33,600 of these being notifications of suspected child abuse and neglect.
“There remains an unacceptable level of parental neglect and abuse in this state.
“Our budget shows we are committed to taking action by extending and strengthening child protection services across the state.
“But in the end it is parents who must face up to their responsibilities to provide a safe and loving home for their children,” Ms Boyle said.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 7477
5 June 2007
The 2007-08 budget is an increase of $48.2 million or just under 10% on last year.
Child Safety Minister Desley Boyle said: “To more than triple our spending in four years shows the Queensland Government’s commitment to protecting children who are harmed or at risk of harm.
“After years of massive change this is the first budget not centred on the sweeping reforms recommended by the Crime and Misconduct Commission.
“With all 110 CMC recommendations implemented and a solid foundation in place we are moving from a period of intensive reform to a new phase of enhancing what we do.
“We will now work on improving and refining existing practices and developing new and improved policies and services as we continue to strengthen child protection.
“Evidence of this in our budget includes our new “One Chance at Childhood” initiative to focus on babies and toddlers and our “safe houses” initiative for Indigenous children in remote communities,” Ms Boyle said.
Child Safety’s 2007-08 budget highlights include:
• $12 million over four-years ($3 million in 2007-08) for the “One Chance at Childhood” initiative to recruit specialist staff to boost the protection of babies and toddlers and to find for them, when their own families cannot, a loving home;
• $19.1 million recurrent funding and $15.5 million capital funding over four years to strengthen child protection services in Indigenous communities. This includes establishing at least five “safe houses” for Indigenous children in Kowanyama, Doomadgee, Pormpuraaw, Aurukun and Weipa/Napranum. In addition a first placement house on Palm Island will be set up as part of the Government’s five point plan for Palm Island. There is also funding to establish office and residential accommodation so that Child Safety Officers can live near remote aboriginal communities on the Cape instead of flying in from Cairns;
• $4.8 million to hire about 13 additional Child Safety Officers, 29 additional Child Safety Support Officers and 16 additional court coordinators;
• $4 million to hire 53 permanent record keeping officers to ensure accurate, up-to-date records to assist in child protection;
• Other capital works spending includes $3.6 million for the development of residential care homes in Mackay, on the Gold Coast and the Darling Downs to address placement needs and $6.4 million to establish therapeutic residential homes in Cairns, Townsville and South East Queensland;
• $69.2 million directly to foster and kinship carers to support their important work caring for abused and neglected children;
• $4 million over four-years ($1 million in 2007-08) for non-government partners to deliver out-of-home care places for children in care with complex and extreme needs.
Ms Boyle said: “We are determined to stay at the forefront of child protection practice and service delivery in Australia as we face another challenging year.
“By June 2008 we anticipate having 7900 children in out-of-home care. During the 2007-08 financial year we expect to record about 73,500 concerns about a child’s safety or wellbeing with an estimated 33,600 of these being notifications of suspected child abuse and neglect.
“There remains an unacceptable level of parental neglect and abuse in this state.
“Our budget shows we are committed to taking action by extending and strengthening child protection services across the state.
“But in the end it is parents who must face up to their responsibilities to provide a safe and loving home for their children,” Ms Boyle said.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 7477
5 June 2007