"Department of Community Services Caseworkers"
- Details
- Category: Uncategorised
- Created: Wednesday, 20 October 2010 23:30
- Written by Alecomm2
Ms PRU GOWARD: My question is directed to the Minister for Community Services. Given the Government's commitment in 2007 to increase the number of Department of Community Services caseworkers at Katoomba, Sutherland, Raymond Terrace, Charlestown, Cessnock and Cardiff service centres, yet there has been no increase at any of those centres, how can the community have any confidence in the Government's ability to deliver on its commitments?
The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Bathurst to order. I call the member for Lismore to order.
Ms LINDA BURNEY: I thank the member for Goulburn for her question. I will put on record some facts in answering that question. It is rich indeed for a question to come from the Opposition on the number of caseworkers. Caseworkers were a victim of the absolute slash and burn action of the Coalition when it was last in office. In fact, it is only in the past 10 months that we have all those caseworkers re-employed.
The SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the Opposition will cease interjecting.
Ms LINDA BURNEY: I remind members that the great new policy of the parties on the other side of the House makes no commitment at all, not one, to any additional protection workers for the children of this State. It is fairly rich for that side of the House to ask a question about the number of caseworkers in various community service centres across New South Wales. If someone can show me where in this document "Start the Change" is their commitment to additional caseworkers, I ask them to do so now.
The SPEAKER: Order! Members will cease interjecting.
Ms Pru Goward: Point of order—
The SPEAKER: Order! Government members will come to order.
Ms Pru Goward: The question was specific. It was about caseworkers in a number of service centres and nothing else.
The SPEAKER: Order! I will hear further from the Minister.
Ms LINDA BURNEY: The question was about caseworkers and I am answering that question. When the Coalition was last in control of this side of the House the decimation of the Department of Community Services was something to behold. This document "Start the Change" does not even mention child protection, let alone make any commitment whatsoever to additional caseworkers.
The SPEAKER: Order! Government members will come to order.
Ms Pru Goward: Point of order: My point of order is relevance under Standing Order 129.
The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Goulburn will resume her seat. I will hear further from the Minister.
Ms LINDA BURNEY: The Minister is drawing to the attention of this House what happened to child protection workers last time those opposite were in government. That is what the Minister is doing.
The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Lane Cove will come to order.
Ms LINDA BURNEY: After two years as Minister for Community Services, I can assure the House that not only were caseworkers slashed by the Coalition; it closed down community service centres. Those opposite were closing down centres that provided support to rape victims. They were slashing thousands of caseworker positions from the system. For all the posturing from that side of the House, the effect was a crumbling system and a decimated and demoralised Department of Community Services. The full effect was not just on the caseworkers or the demoralisation of the department; it was also in the reduction of protection for the most vulnerable children in this State—a lack of protection for children who had been abused and children who had been neglected. I say to that side of the House, "Do not stand up and pretend that you've got a good history in this area because you don't." The Coalition has absolutely nothing to stand on.
The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Goulburn will cease interjecting.
Mr Adrian Piccoli: Point of order: I refer to Standing Order 129. The question was simple. It was about a commitment the Government had made and its failure to honour that commitment.
The SPEAKER: Order! I remind the Minister of the question before the House.
Ms LINDA BURNEY: We have implemented the recommendations from Commissioner Wood's inquiry into child protection in this State. We have injected an additional $750 million into child protection in New South Wales, rolled out massive reform, changed legislation and put in additional resources.
The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Wakehurst to order.
Ms LINDA BURNEY: We are investing in early intervention and prevention.
The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Wakehurst to order for the second time.
Ms LINDA BURNEY: We have changed the statutory threshold for child protection and we have now a shared responsibility not only throughout the Government but also with our non-government partners. We have a new child protection system in this State.
Mr Adrian Piccoli: Point of order: I refer again to Standing Order 129. Question time is about accountability. The Government made a promise and has not delivered on it.
The SPEAKER: Order! The member will state his point of order.
Mr Adrian Piccoli: I appreciate the background, but the Minister should provide an answer to the question.
The SPEAKER: Order! I have reminded the Minister already of the question before the House.
Ms LINDA BURNEY: I shall conclude by saying that I am absolutely proud of the record on this side of the House for our investment and commitment to improving child protection in New South Wales.
The SPEAKER: Order! Members will cease interjecting.
Ms LINDA BURNEY: I can go through the numbers of caseworkers in specific areas now if members want, but I can assure the House that caseworker numbers across this State have not reduced; in fact, the numbers have increased. I am happy to go through the specific targets. (Source : http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA20101021018?open&refNavID=HA8_1)
