Published Friday, 14 December, 2007 at 03:29 PM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Statement from Premier Bligh re the Australian
“I can confirm this afternoon that in addition to writing to the CMC regarding the extremely serious allegation made in ‘The Australian’ today I have also sought information from the Ministers responsible for Child Safety over the past two years.
Former Ministers for Child Safety, Mike Reynolds and Desley Boyle have strongly refuted the claims by a Queensland Police officer that they had issued instructions or requested that senior bureaucrats issue instructions which would force departmental officers to refuse to provide information or co-operation with the QPS on matters regarding child abuse.
The current Minister Margaret Keech, was clearly not responsible for the department during the time at issue, but has also made it clear she instructed the department this year to re-issue the information to staff regarding their legal responsibilities to inform police on child sexual assault matters.
Mr Reynolds, when Minister, was responsible for launching the investigation into the Department of Child Safety’s performance regarding the management and protection of a then ten year old girl from Aurukun. He also ensure the matters was referred swiftly to the CMC.
Mr Reynolds was clear in his rejection of today’s claims, saying it was completely contrary to the new culture of openness, transparency and accountability which he had fostered as Minister.
Ms Boyle was responsible for acting on the recommendations made by the CMC’s investigation into this matter. In all there were 157 recommendations, all of which were accepted and acted upon. Just ten are yet to fully implemented following Minister Boyle’s receipt of the report in December 2006. On December 6, Ms Boyle issued a media release outlining the findings of the report and the changes being made to the department as a result.
Like Mr Reynolds, Ms Boyle rejects today’s claims and points out that memorandums regarding staff responsibility in this area were issued at her request.
The Department of Child Safety has today provided me with memorandums which demonstrate that during the past two years departmental officers have been repeatedly, formally advised of their legal responsibility to inform police on matters involving child sexual assault.
Serious untested allegations, first brought to the attention of CMC investigators during interviews in 2006, have been widely reported today, and I have brought these matters to the CMC’s attention. Anyone with evidence which might support these serious allegations must take the information to the CMC which has the powers of a standing royal commission.”
Former Ministers for Child Safety, Mike Reynolds and Desley Boyle have strongly refuted the claims by a Queensland Police officer that they had issued instructions or requested that senior bureaucrats issue instructions which would force departmental officers to refuse to provide information or co-operation with the QPS on matters regarding child abuse.
The current Minister Margaret Keech, was clearly not responsible for the department during the time at issue, but has also made it clear she instructed the department this year to re-issue the information to staff regarding their legal responsibilities to inform police on child sexual assault matters.
Mr Reynolds, when Minister, was responsible for launching the investigation into the Department of Child Safety’s performance regarding the management and protection of a then ten year old girl from Aurukun. He also ensure the matters was referred swiftly to the CMC.
Mr Reynolds was clear in his rejection of today’s claims, saying it was completely contrary to the new culture of openness, transparency and accountability which he had fostered as Minister.
Ms Boyle was responsible for acting on the recommendations made by the CMC’s investigation into this matter. In all there were 157 recommendations, all of which were accepted and acted upon. Just ten are yet to fully implemented following Minister Boyle’s receipt of the report in December 2006. On December 6, Ms Boyle issued a media release outlining the findings of the report and the changes being made to the department as a result.
Like Mr Reynolds, Ms Boyle rejects today’s claims and points out that memorandums regarding staff responsibility in this area were issued at her request.
The Department of Child Safety has today provided me with memorandums which demonstrate that during the past two years departmental officers have been repeatedly, formally advised of their legal responsibility to inform police on matters involving child sexual assault.
Serious untested allegations, first brought to the attention of CMC investigators during interviews in 2006, have been widely reported today, and I have brought these matters to the CMC’s attention. Anyone with evidence which might support these serious allegations must take the information to the CMC which has the powers of a standing royal commission.”