❓ Ms Baker questions Premier Barnett on how child protection will be maintained amidst potential redundancies in the workforce. Premier Barnett defends the government's record on child protection funding and argues that redundancies can be beneficial, allowing for new graduates to enter the field.
AnsweredQoN 786Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PUBLIC SECTOR — REDUNDANCIES
786. Ms L.L. BAKER to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. Given that child protection workers
are already overwhelmed by demand, how does the Premier intend to protect the
children in this state when he is effectively saying he is allowing cuts to the
child protection workforce?
786. Ms L.L. BAKER to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. Given that child protection workers
are already overwhelmed by demand, how does the Premier intend to protect the
children in this state when he is effectively saying he is allowing cuts to the
child protection workforce?
AnswerView source ↗
I might have the figure wrong, but I believe that during the term of
this government expenditure on child protection has gone up 70 per cent.
Dr M.D. Nahan : It is 100 per cent.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is 100 per cent.
Ms
L.L. Baker interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is of great concern, as there are now
4 000 children in the care of the state. This government has funded child
protection like no other government in the history of the state, in sharp
contrast to the lack of commitment to child protection and also mental health
by the former government. This government has been proactive in those social
areas of child protection, mental health and housing, unlike the former Labor government,
which neglected those key areas of social responsibility. That is the truth.
Members opposite should be ashamed of their lack of commitment to social
policies for the most disadvantaged people in this state. Members opposite
should be ashamed, because they did so little in that area.
Ms
L.L. Baker interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Maylands, I have asked you now three times. I call you to
order for the first time. Premier, can you wind this up, please.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. The government is not going to say
that a child protection officer cannot apply for redundancy, and if they are
granted redundancy, good luck to them, I wish them well. Some people get burnt
out in a particular occupation, and child protection is a particularly
stressful occupation. It is stressful, and some people who may have worked in
that area for 20 years may say that they cannot do it anymore and they need a change.
That will be offered to them, and if they go they will be replaced by a new
graduate. That is what will happen. That is not a bad thing. The same thing is
likely to happen in areas such as teaching, where many teachers, who have
probably been dedicated teachers for a long time, may wish to leave and do
something else, and they will be replaced by a new graduate—not a bad
thing.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Fremantle! Right; finished?
this government expenditure on child protection has gone up 70 per cent.
Dr M.D. Nahan : It is 100 per cent.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is 100 per cent.
Ms
L.L. Baker interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is of great concern, as there are now
4 000 children in the care of the state. This government has funded child
protection like no other government in the history of the state, in sharp
contrast to the lack of commitment to child protection and also mental health
by the former government. This government has been proactive in those social
areas of child protection, mental health and housing, unlike the former Labor government,
which neglected those key areas of social responsibility. That is the truth.
Members opposite should be ashamed of their lack of commitment to social
policies for the most disadvantaged people in this state. Members opposite
should be ashamed, because they did so little in that area.
Ms
L.L. Baker interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Maylands, I have asked you now three times. I call you to
order for the first time. Premier, can you wind this up, please.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. The government is not going to say
that a child protection officer cannot apply for redundancy, and if they are
granted redundancy, good luck to them, I wish them well. Some people get burnt
out in a particular occupation, and child protection is a particularly
stressful occupation. It is stressful, and some people who may have worked in
that area for 20 years may say that they cannot do it anymore and they need a change.
That will be offered to them, and if they go they will be replaced by a new
graduate. That is what will happen. That is not a bad thing. The same thing is
likely to happen in areas such as teaching, where many teachers, who have
probably been dedicated teachers for a long time, may wish to leave and do
something else, and they will be replaced by a new graduate—not a bad
thing.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Fremantle! Right; finished?
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