❓ Mrs Godfrey asks about the Liberal-National government's actions to protect vulnerable children during National Child Protection Week. Ms Mitchell responds by highlighting increased funding, improved case worker ratios, and criticizes the opposition's record and recent comments.
AnsweredQoN 629Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
NATIONAL CHILD PROTECTION WEEK 629. Mrs G.J. GODFREY to the Minister for Child Protection: This week is National Child Protection Week. Can the minister outline to the house what the Liberal–National government has been doing to protect the most vulnerable children in our community? Ms A.R. MITCHELL
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Belmont for the question, because I know that she is a strong advocate for all the people in her community, particularly children. As the member said, this is National Child Protection Week—a very important week in our community, not just for one week in the year, but throughout the year. I have to say that this government has a very proud record of what it has done in child protection since this Liberal–National government has been in alliance. Can I say also that this government, and indeed this Premier, is the best friend of this sector. Over the period between 2008–09 and the present, we have increased funding by 83 per cent—thank you, Treasurer—into this sector, to make a difference to these children who are in vulnerable positions. That is an amount of $642 million. In addition to that, not only to the department, there has been an increase of 117 per cent in funding to the non-government organisations whom we partner with, and who make a positive contribution in this area. That is a significant difference. Also, we have made a sizeable increase in the number of case load workers in this area, because we believe that that case load management area is critical, and I am very pleased to say that we have been able to achieve that. Our case load management averages about 12 cases per case load worker. That is the lowest in Australia, and very much near the lowest throughout the world. We are the envy of the world in this area, and this government has made that difference. This government only has made that difference. An amount of 15 cases has been set by the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission as what it recommends is acceptable, but we work on 12, so we are below. We are proud of that, and we will continue to do that. I have to say that in this week, National Child Protection Week, I actually have not heard much from the opposition at all. I have not heard a word. I am sorry—a petition was tabled in the upper house today about the unsustainable workloads. Twelve is the lowest in the country—but wait, there is more. The other part of the petition was the failure of the national government to fund the child protection system. That is what the petition was today. That is all the opposition has said during National Child Protection Week. I would like to read a couple of things, because some of the people in this chamber were not here in 2007, and I think they need to understand what it was like for the child protection system in 2007. I am quoting from articles by a couple of very astute journalists for The West Australian . Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : I am happy to wait. The SPEAKER : Thank you. You have two minutes to finish your answer, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, I am very happy to mention this. Jessica Strutt, on 8 March 2007, wrote — An independent report has recommended a complete overhaul of the beleaguered Department for Community Development after finding the child protection system is on the verge of collapse and the community has no confidence in the State Government’s ability to protect vulnerable children. Can I quote another one? Paul Murray wrote, on 13 March 2007 — Premier Alan Carpenter’s response to the Ford review came with no suggestion of remorse or apology for the Government’s appalling performance over the past six years which has been, in the main, a mixture of wrong-headed ideology, denial and political bastardry. … In fact, the Ford review notes that many people — Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : The opposition cannot handle it. The SPEAKER : Members, thank you. Member for Cannington, I do not want you to start commenting on the notice paper. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thirty seconds, thank you. I will speak very fast, but I really want this message to get through. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
629. Mrs G.J. GODFREY to the Minister for Child Protection: This week is National Child Protection Week. Can the minister outline to the house what the Liberal–National government has been doing to protect the most vulnerable children in our community? Ms A.R. MITCHELL replied: I thank the member for Belmont for the question, because I know that she is a strong advocate for all the people in her community, particularly children. As the member said, this is National Child Protection Week—a very important week in our community, not just for one week in the year, but throughout the year. I have to say that this government has a very proud record of what it has done in child protection since this Liberal–National government has been in alliance. Can I say also that this government, and indeed this Premier, is the best friend of this sector. Over the period between 2008–09 and the present, we have increased funding by 83 per cent—thank you, Treasurer—into this sector, to make a difference to these children who are in vulnerable positions. That is an amount of $642 million. In addition to that, not only to the department, there has been an increase of 117 per cent in funding to the non-government organisations whom we partner with, and who make a positive contribution in this area. That is a significant difference. Also, we have made a sizeable increase in the number of case load workers in this area, because we believe that that case load management area is critical, and I am very pleased to say that we have been able to achieve that. Our case load management averages about 12 cases per case load worker. That is the lowest in Australia, and very much near the lowest throughout the world. We are the envy of the world in this area, and this government has made that difference. This government only has made that difference. An amount of 15 cases has been set by the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission as what it recommends is acceptable, but we work on 12, so we are below. We are proud of that, and we will continue to do that. I have to say that in this week, National Child Protection Week, I actually have not heard much from the opposition at all. I have not heard a word. I am sorry—a petition was tabled in the upper house today about the unsustainable workloads. Twelve is the lowest in the country—but wait, there is more. The other part of the petition was the failure of the national government to fund the child protection system. That is what the petition was today. That is all the opposition has said during National Child Protection Week. I would like to read a couple of things, because some of the people in this chamber were not here in 2007, and I think they need to understand what it was like for the child protection system in 2007. I am quoting from articles by a couple of very astute journalists for The West Australian . Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : I am happy to wait. The SPEAKER : Thank you. You have two minutes to finish your answer, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, I am very happy to mention this. Jessica Strutt, on 8 March 2007, wrote — An independent report has recommended a complete overhaul of the beleaguered Department for Community Development after finding the child protection system is on the verge of collapse and the community has no confidence in the State Government’s ability to protect vulnerable children. Can I quote another one? Paul Murray wrote, on 13 March 2007 — Premier Alan Carpenter’s response to the Ford review came with no suggestion of remorse or apology for the Government’s appalling performance over the past six years which has been, in the main, a mixture of wrong-headed ideology, denial and political bastardry. … In fact, the Ford review notes that many people — Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : The opposition cannot handle it. The SPEAKER : Members, thank you. Member for Cannington, I do not want you to start commenting on the notice paper. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thirty seconds, thank you. I will speak very fast, but I really want this message to get through. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
This week is National Child Protection Week. Can the minister outline to the house what the Liberal–National government has been doing to protect the most vulnerable children in our community? Ms A.R. MITCHELL replied: I thank the member for Belmont for the question, because I know that she is a strong advocate for all the people in her community, particularly children. As the member said, this is National Child Protection Week—a very important week in our community, not just for one week in the year, but throughout the year. I have to say that this government has a very proud record of what it has done in child protection since this Liberal–National government has been in alliance. Can I say also that this government, and indeed this Premier, is the best friend of this sector. Over the period between 2008–09 and the present, we have increased funding by 83 per cent—thank you, Treasurer—into this sector, to make a difference to these children who are in vulnerable positions. That is an amount of $642 million. In addition to that, not only to the department, there has been an increase of 117 per cent in funding to the non-government organisations whom we partner with, and who make a positive contribution in this area. That is a significant difference. Also, we have made a sizeable increase in the number of case load workers in this area, because we believe that that case load management area is critical, and I am very pleased to say that we have been able to achieve that. Our case load management averages about 12 cases per case load worker. That is the lowest in Australia, and very much near the lowest throughout the world. We are the envy of the world in this area, and this government has made that difference. This government only has made that difference. An amount of 15 cases has been set by the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission as what it recommends is acceptable, but we work on 12, so we are below. We are proud of that, and we will continue to do that. I have to say that in this week, National Child Protection Week, I actually have not heard much from the opposition at all. I have not heard a word. I am sorry—a petition was tabled in the upper house today about the unsustainable workloads. Twelve is the lowest in the country—but wait, there is more. The other part of the petition was the failure of the national government to fund the child protection system. That is what the petition was today. That is all the opposition has said during National Child Protection Week. I would like to read a couple of things, because some of the people in this chamber were not here in 2007, and I think they need to understand what it was like for the child protection system in 2007. I am quoting from articles by a couple of very astute journalists for The West Australian . Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : I am happy to wait. The SPEAKER : Thank you. You have two minutes to finish your answer, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, I am very happy to mention this. Jessica Strutt, on 8 March 2007, wrote — An independent report has recommended a complete overhaul of the beleaguered Department for Community Development after finding the child protection system is on the verge of collapse and the community has no confidence in the State Government’s ability to protect vulnerable children. Can I quote another one? Paul Murray wrote, on 13 March 2007 — Premier Alan Carpenter’s response to the Ford review came with no suggestion of remorse or apology for the Government’s appalling performance over the past six years which has been, in the main, a mixture of wrong-headed ideology, denial and political bastardry. … In fact, the Ford review notes that many people — Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : The opposition cannot handle it. The SPEAKER : Members, thank you. Member for Cannington, I do not want you to start commenting on the notice paper. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thirty seconds, thank you. I will speak very fast, but I really want this message to get through. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
Ms A.R. MITCHELL replied: I thank the member for Belmont for the question, because I know that she is a strong advocate for all the people in her community, particularly children. As the member said, this is National Child Protection Week—a very important week in our community, not just for one week in the year, but throughout the year. I have to say that this government has a very proud record of what it has done in child protection since this Liberal–National government has been in alliance. Can I say also that this government, and indeed this Premier, is the best friend of this sector. Over the period between 2008–09 and the present, we have increased funding by 83 per cent—thank you, Treasurer—into this sector, to make a difference to these children who are in vulnerable positions. That is an amount of $642 million. In addition to that, not only to the department, there has been an increase of 117 per cent in funding to the non-government organisations whom we partner with, and who make a positive contribution in this area. That is a significant difference. Also, we have made a sizeable increase in the number of case load workers in this area, because we believe that that case load management area is critical, and I am very pleased to say that we have been able to achieve that. Our case load management averages about 12 cases per case load worker. That is the lowest in Australia, and very much near the lowest throughout the world. We are the envy of the world in this area, and this government has made that difference. This government only has made that difference. An amount of 15 cases has been set by the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission as what it recommends is acceptable, but we work on 12, so we are below. We are proud of that, and we will continue to do that. I have to say that in this week, National Child Protection Week, I actually have not heard much from the opposition at all. I have not heard a word. I am sorry—a petition was tabled in the upper house today about the unsustainable workloads. Twelve is the lowest in the country—but wait, there is more. The other part of the petition was the failure of the national government to fund the child protection system. That is what the petition was today. That is all the opposition has said during National Child Protection Week. I would like to read a couple of things, because some of the people in this chamber were not here in 2007, and I think they need to understand what it was like for the child protection system in 2007. I am quoting from articles by a couple of very astute journalists for The West Australian . Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : I am happy to wait. The SPEAKER : Thank you. You have two minutes to finish your answer, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, I am very happy to mention this. Jessica Strutt, on 8 March 2007, wrote — An independent report has recommended a complete overhaul of the beleaguered Department for Community Development after finding the child protection system is on the verge of collapse and the community has no confidence in the State Government’s ability to protect vulnerable children. Can I quote another one? Paul Murray wrote, on 13 March 2007 — Premier Alan Carpenter’s response to the Ford review came with no suggestion of remorse or apology for the Government’s appalling performance over the past six years which has been, in the main, a mixture of wrong-headed ideology, denial and political bastardry. … In fact, the Ford review notes that many people — Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : The opposition cannot handle it. The SPEAKER : Members, thank you. Member for Cannington, I do not want you to start commenting on the notice paper. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thirty seconds, thank you. I will speak very fast, but I really want this message to get through. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
I thank the member for Belmont for the question, because I know that she is a strong advocate for all the people in her community, particularly children. As the member said, this is National Child Protection Week—a very important week in our community, not just for one week in the year, but throughout the year. I have to say that this government has a very proud record of what it has done in child protection since this Liberal–National government has been in alliance. Can I say also that this government, and indeed this Premier, is the best friend of this sector. Over the period between 2008–09 and the present, we have increased funding by 83 per cent—thank you, Treasurer—into this sector, to make a difference to these children who are in vulnerable positions. That is an amount of $642 million. In addition to that, not only to the department, there has been an increase of 117 per cent in funding to the non-government organisations whom we partner with, and who make a positive contribution in this area. That is a significant difference. Also, we have made a sizeable increase in the number of case load workers in this area, because we believe that that case load management area is critical, and I am very pleased to say that we have been able to achieve that. Our case load management averages about 12 cases per case load worker. That is the lowest in Australia, and very much near the lowest throughout the world. We are the envy of the world in this area, and this government has made that difference. This government only has made that difference. An amount of 15 cases has been set by the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission as what it recommends is acceptable, but we work on 12, so we are below. We are proud of that, and we will continue to do that. I have to say that in this week, National Child Protection Week, I actually have not heard much from the opposition at all. I have not heard a word. I am sorry—a petition was tabled in the upper house today about the unsustainable workloads. Twelve is the lowest in the country—but wait, there is more. The other part of the petition was the failure of the national government to fund the child protection system. That is what the petition was today. That is all the opposition has said during National Child Protection Week. I would like to read a couple of things, because some of the people in this chamber were not here in 2007, and I think they need to understand what it was like for the child protection system in 2007. I am quoting from articles by a couple of very astute journalists for The West Australian . Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : I am happy to wait. The SPEAKER : Thank you. You have two minutes to finish your answer, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, I am very happy to mention this. Jessica Strutt, on 8 March 2007, wrote — An independent report has recommended a complete overhaul of the beleaguered Department for Community Development after finding the child protection system is on the verge of collapse and the community has no confidence in the State Government’s ability to protect vulnerable children. Can I quote another one? Paul Murray wrote, on 13 March 2007 — Premier Alan Carpenter’s response to the Ford review came with no suggestion of remorse or apology for the Government’s appalling performance over the past six years which has been, in the main, a mixture of wrong-headed ideology, denial and political bastardry. … In fact, the Ford review notes that many people — Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : The opposition cannot handle it. The SPEAKER : Members, thank you. Member for Cannington, I do not want you to start commenting on the notice paper. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thirty seconds, thank you. I will speak very fast, but I really want this message to get through. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
I have to say that in this week, National Child Protection Week, I actually have not heard much from the opposition at all. I have not heard a word. I am sorry—a petition was tabled in the upper house today about the unsustainable workloads. Twelve is the lowest in the country—but wait, there is more. The other part of the petition was the failure of the national government to fund the child protection system. That is what the petition was today. That is all the opposition has said during National Child Protection Week. I would like to read a couple of things, because some of the people in this chamber were not here in 2007, and I think they need to understand what it was like for the child protection system in 2007. I am quoting from articles by a couple of very astute journalists for The West Australian . Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : I am happy to wait. The SPEAKER : Thank you. You have two minutes to finish your answer, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, I am very happy to mention this. Jessica Strutt, on 8 March 2007, wrote — An independent report has recommended a complete overhaul of the beleaguered Department for Community Development after finding the child protection system is on the verge of collapse and the community has no confidence in the State Government’s ability to protect vulnerable children. Can I quote another one? Paul Murray wrote, on 13 March 2007 — Premier Alan Carpenter’s response to the Ford review came with no suggestion of remorse or apology for the Government’s appalling performance over the past six years which has been, in the main, a mixture of wrong-headed ideology, denial and political bastardry. … In fact, the Ford review notes that many people — Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : The opposition cannot handle it. The SPEAKER : Members, thank you. Member for Cannington, I do not want you to start commenting on the notice paper. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thirty seconds, thank you. I will speak very fast, but I really want this message to get through. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
I would like to read a couple of things, because some of the people in this chamber were not here in 2007, and I think they need to understand what it was like for the child protection system in 2007. I am quoting from articles by a couple of very astute journalists for The West Australian . Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : I am happy to wait. The SPEAKER : Thank you. You have two minutes to finish your answer, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, I am very happy to mention this. Jessica Strutt, on 8 March 2007, wrote — An independent report has recommended a complete overhaul of the beleaguered Department for Community Development after finding the child protection system is on the verge of collapse and the community has no confidence in the State Government’s ability to protect vulnerable children. Can I quote another one? Paul Murray wrote, on 13 March 2007 — Premier Alan Carpenter’s response to the Ford review came with no suggestion of remorse or apology for the Government’s appalling performance over the past six years which has been, in the main, a mixture of wrong-headed ideology, denial and political bastardry. … In fact, the Ford review notes that many people — Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : The opposition cannot handle it. The SPEAKER : Members, thank you. Member for Cannington, I do not want you to start commenting on the notice paper. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thirty seconds, thank you. I will speak very fast, but I really want this message to get through. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : I am happy to wait. The SPEAKER : Thank you. You have two minutes to finish your answer, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, I am very happy to mention this. Jessica Strutt, on 8 March 2007, wrote — An independent report has recommended a complete overhaul of the beleaguered Department for Community Development after finding the child protection system is on the verge of collapse and the community has no confidence in the State Government’s ability to protect vulnerable children. Can I quote another one? Paul Murray wrote, on 13 March 2007 — Premier Alan Carpenter’s response to the Ford review came with no suggestion of remorse or apology for the Government’s appalling performance over the past six years which has been, in the main, a mixture of wrong-headed ideology, denial and political bastardry. … In fact, the Ford review notes that many people — Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : The opposition cannot handle it. The SPEAKER : Members, thank you. Member for Cannington, I do not want you to start commenting on the notice paper. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thirty seconds, thank you. I will speak very fast, but I really want this message to get through. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
Ms A.R. MITCHELL : I am happy to wait. The SPEAKER : Thank you. You have two minutes to finish your answer, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, I am very happy to mention this. Jessica Strutt, on 8 March 2007, wrote — An independent report has recommended a complete overhaul of the beleaguered Department for Community Development after finding the child protection system is on the verge of collapse and the community has no confidence in the State Government’s ability to protect vulnerable children. Can I quote another one? Paul Murray wrote, on 13 March 2007 — Premier Alan Carpenter’s response to the Ford review came with no suggestion of remorse or apology for the Government’s appalling performance over the past six years which has been, in the main, a mixture of wrong-headed ideology, denial and political bastardry. … In fact, the Ford review notes that many people — Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : The opposition cannot handle it. The SPEAKER : Members, thank you. Member for Cannington, I do not want you to start commenting on the notice paper. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thirty seconds, thank you. I will speak very fast, but I really want this message to get through. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
The SPEAKER : Thank you. You have two minutes to finish your answer, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, I am very happy to mention this. Jessica Strutt, on 8 March 2007, wrote — An independent report has recommended a complete overhaul of the beleaguered Department for Community Development after finding the child protection system is on the verge of collapse and the community has no confidence in the State Government’s ability to protect vulnerable children. Can I quote another one? Paul Murray wrote, on 13 March 2007 — Premier Alan Carpenter’s response to the Ford review came with no suggestion of remorse or apology for the Government’s appalling performance over the past six years which has been, in the main, a mixture of wrong-headed ideology, denial and political bastardry. … In fact, the Ford review notes that many people — Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : The opposition cannot handle it. The SPEAKER : Members, thank you. Member for Cannington, I do not want you to start commenting on the notice paper. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thirty seconds, thank you. I will speak very fast, but I really want this message to get through. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, I am very happy to mention this. Jessica Strutt, on 8 March 2007, wrote — An independent report has recommended a complete overhaul of the beleaguered Department for Community Development after finding the child protection system is on the verge of collapse and the community has no confidence in the State Government’s ability to protect vulnerable children. Can I quote another one? Paul Murray wrote, on 13 March 2007 — Premier Alan Carpenter’s response to the Ford review came with no suggestion of remorse or apology for the Government’s appalling performance over the past six years which has been, in the main, a mixture of wrong-headed ideology, denial and political bastardry. … In fact, the Ford review notes that many people — Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : The opposition cannot handle it. The SPEAKER : Members, thank you. Member for Cannington, I do not want you to start commenting on the notice paper. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thirty seconds, thank you. I will speak very fast, but I really want this message to get through. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
… In fact, the Ford review notes that many people —
In fact, the Ford review notes that many people —
Ms A.R. MITCHELL : The opposition cannot handle it. The SPEAKER : Members, thank you. Member for Cannington, I do not want you to start commenting on the notice paper. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thirty seconds, thank you. I will speak very fast, but I really want this message to get through. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
The SPEAKER : Members, thank you. Member for Cannington, I do not want you to start commenting on the notice paper. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thirty seconds, thank you. I will speak very fast, but I really want this message to get through. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thirty seconds, thank you. I will speak very fast, but I really want this message to get through. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
629. Mrs G.J. GODFREY to the Minister for Child Protection: This week is National Child Protection Week. Can the minister outline to the house what the Liberal–National government has been doing to protect the most vulnerable children in our community? Ms A.R. MITCHELL replied: I thank the member for Belmont for the question, because I know that she is a strong advocate for all the people in her community, particularly children. As the member said, this is National Child Protection Week—a very important week in our community, not just for one week in the year, but throughout the year. I have to say that this government has a very proud record of what it has done in child protection since this Liberal–National government has been in alliance. Can I say also that this government, and indeed this Premier, is the best friend of this sector. Over the period between 2008–09 and the present, we have increased funding by 83 per cent—thank you, Treasurer—into this sector, to make a difference to these children who are in vulnerable positions. That is an amount of $642 million. In addition to that, not only to the department, there has been an increase of 117 per cent in funding to the non-government organisations whom we partner with, and who make a positive contribution in this area. That is a significant difference. Also, we have made a sizeable increase in the number of case load workers in this area, because we believe that that case load management area is critical, and I am very pleased to say that we have been able to achieve that. Our case load management averages about 12 cases per case load worker. That is the lowest in Australia, and very much near the lowest throughout the world. We are the envy of the world in this area, and this government has made that difference. This government only has made that difference. An amount of 15 cases has been set by the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission as what it recommends is acceptable, but we work on 12, so we are below. We are proud of that, and we will continue to do that. I have to say that in this week, National Child Protection Week, I actually have not heard much from the opposition at all. I have not heard a word. I am sorry—a petition was tabled in the upper house today about the unsustainable workloads. Twelve is the lowest in the country—but wait, there is more. The other part of the petition was the failure of the national government to fund the child protection system. That is what the petition was today. That is all the opposition has said during National Child Protection Week. I would like to read a couple of things, because some of the people in this chamber were not here in 2007, and I think they need to understand what it was like for the child protection system in 2007. I am quoting from articles by a couple of very astute journalists for The West Australian . Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : I am happy to wait. The SPEAKER : Thank you. You have two minutes to finish your answer, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, I am very happy to mention this. Jessica Strutt, on 8 March 2007, wrote — An independent report has recommended a complete overhaul of the beleaguered Department for Community Development after finding the child protection system is on the verge of collapse and the community has no confidence in the State Government’s ability to protect vulnerable children. Can I quote another one? Paul Murray wrote, on 13 March 2007 — Premier Alan Carpenter’s response to the Ford review came with no suggestion of remorse or apology for the Government’s appalling performance over the past six years which has been, in the main, a mixture of wrong-headed ideology, denial and political bastardry. … In fact, the Ford review notes that many people — Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : The opposition cannot handle it. The SPEAKER : Members, thank you. Member for Cannington, I do not want you to start commenting on the notice paper. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thirty seconds, thank you. I will speak very fast, but I really want this message to get through. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
This week is National Child Protection Week. Can the minister outline to the house what the Liberal–National government has been doing to protect the most vulnerable children in our community? Ms A.R. MITCHELL replied: I thank the member for Belmont for the question, because I know that she is a strong advocate for all the people in her community, particularly children. As the member said, this is National Child Protection Week—a very important week in our community, not just for one week in the year, but throughout the year. I have to say that this government has a very proud record of what it has done in child protection since this Liberal–National government has been in alliance. Can I say also that this government, and indeed this Premier, is the best friend of this sector. Over the period between 2008–09 and the present, we have increased funding by 83 per cent—thank you, Treasurer—into this sector, to make a difference to these children who are in vulnerable positions. That is an amount of $642 million. In addition to that, not only to the department, there has been an increase of 117 per cent in funding to the non-government organisations whom we partner with, and who make a positive contribution in this area. That is a significant difference. Also, we have made a sizeable increase in the number of case load workers in this area, because we believe that that case load management area is critical, and I am very pleased to say that we have been able to achieve that. Our case load management averages about 12 cases per case load worker. That is the lowest in Australia, and very much near the lowest throughout the world. We are the envy of the world in this area, and this government has made that difference. This government only has made that difference. An amount of 15 cases has been set by the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission as what it recommends is acceptable, but we work on 12, so we are below. We are proud of that, and we will continue to do that. I have to say that in this week, National Child Protection Week, I actually have not heard much from the opposition at all. I have not heard a word. I am sorry—a petition was tabled in the upper house today about the unsustainable workloads. Twelve is the lowest in the country—but wait, there is more. The other part of the petition was the failure of the national government to fund the child protection system. That is what the petition was today. That is all the opposition has said during National Child Protection Week. I would like to read a couple of things, because some of the people in this chamber were not here in 2007, and I think they need to understand what it was like for the child protection system in 2007. I am quoting from articles by a couple of very astute journalists for The West Australian . Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : I am happy to wait. The SPEAKER : Thank you. You have two minutes to finish your answer, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, I am very happy to mention this. Jessica Strutt, on 8 March 2007, wrote — An independent report has recommended a complete overhaul of the beleaguered Department for Community Development after finding the child protection system is on the verge of collapse and the community has no confidence in the State Government’s ability to protect vulnerable children. Can I quote another one? Paul Murray wrote, on 13 March 2007 — Premier Alan Carpenter’s response to the Ford review came with no suggestion of remorse or apology for the Government’s appalling performance over the past six years which has been, in the main, a mixture of wrong-headed ideology, denial and political bastardry. … In fact, the Ford review notes that many people — Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : The opposition cannot handle it. The SPEAKER : Members, thank you. Member for Cannington, I do not want you to start commenting on the notice paper. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thirty seconds, thank you. I will speak very fast, but I really want this message to get through. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
Ms A.R. MITCHELL replied: I thank the member for Belmont for the question, because I know that she is a strong advocate for all the people in her community, particularly children. As the member said, this is National Child Protection Week—a very important week in our community, not just for one week in the year, but throughout the year. I have to say that this government has a very proud record of what it has done in child protection since this Liberal–National government has been in alliance. Can I say also that this government, and indeed this Premier, is the best friend of this sector. Over the period between 2008–09 and the present, we have increased funding by 83 per cent—thank you, Treasurer—into this sector, to make a difference to these children who are in vulnerable positions. That is an amount of $642 million. In addition to that, not only to the department, there has been an increase of 117 per cent in funding to the non-government organisations whom we partner with, and who make a positive contribution in this area. That is a significant difference. Also, we have made a sizeable increase in the number of case load workers in this area, because we believe that that case load management area is critical, and I am very pleased to say that we have been able to achieve that. Our case load management averages about 12 cases per case load worker. That is the lowest in Australia, and very much near the lowest throughout the world. We are the envy of the world in this area, and this government has made that difference. This government only has made that difference. An amount of 15 cases has been set by the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission as what it recommends is acceptable, but we work on 12, so we are below. We are proud of that, and we will continue to do that. I have to say that in this week, National Child Protection Week, I actually have not heard much from the opposition at all. I have not heard a word. I am sorry—a petition was tabled in the upper house today about the unsustainable workloads. Twelve is the lowest in the country—but wait, there is more. The other part of the petition was the failure of the national government to fund the child protection system. That is what the petition was today. That is all the opposition has said during National Child Protection Week. I would like to read a couple of things, because some of the people in this chamber were not here in 2007, and I think they need to understand what it was like for the child protection system in 2007. I am quoting from articles by a couple of very astute journalists for The West Australian . Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : I am happy to wait. The SPEAKER : Thank you. You have two minutes to finish your answer, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, I am very happy to mention this. Jessica Strutt, on 8 March 2007, wrote — An independent report has recommended a complete overhaul of the beleaguered Department for Community Development after finding the child protection system is on the verge of collapse and the community has no confidence in the State Government’s ability to protect vulnerable children. Can I quote another one? Paul Murray wrote, on 13 March 2007 — Premier Alan Carpenter’s response to the Ford review came with no suggestion of remorse or apology for the Government’s appalling performance over the past six years which has been, in the main, a mixture of wrong-headed ideology, denial and political bastardry. … In fact, the Ford review notes that many people — Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : The opposition cannot handle it. The SPEAKER : Members, thank you. Member for Cannington, I do not want you to start commenting on the notice paper. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thirty seconds, thank you. I will speak very fast, but I really want this message to get through. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
I thank the member for Belmont for the question, because I know that she is a strong advocate for all the people in her community, particularly children. As the member said, this is National Child Protection Week—a very important week in our community, not just for one week in the year, but throughout the year. I have to say that this government has a very proud record of what it has done in child protection since this Liberal–National government has been in alliance. Can I say also that this government, and indeed this Premier, is the best friend of this sector. Over the period between 2008–09 and the present, we have increased funding by 83 per cent—thank you, Treasurer—into this sector, to make a difference to these children who are in vulnerable positions. That is an amount of $642 million. In addition to that, not only to the department, there has been an increase of 117 per cent in funding to the non-government organisations whom we partner with, and who make a positive contribution in this area. That is a significant difference. Also, we have made a sizeable increase in the number of case load workers in this area, because we believe that that case load management area is critical, and I am very pleased to say that we have been able to achieve that. Our case load management averages about 12 cases per case load worker. That is the lowest in Australia, and very much near the lowest throughout the world. We are the envy of the world in this area, and this government has made that difference. This government only has made that difference. An amount of 15 cases has been set by the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission as what it recommends is acceptable, but we work on 12, so we are below. We are proud of that, and we will continue to do that. I have to say that in this week, National Child Protection Week, I actually have not heard much from the opposition at all. I have not heard a word. I am sorry—a petition was tabled in the upper house today about the unsustainable workloads. Twelve is the lowest in the country—but wait, there is more. The other part of the petition was the failure of the national government to fund the child protection system. That is what the petition was today. That is all the opposition has said during National Child Protection Week. I would like to read a couple of things, because some of the people in this chamber were not here in 2007, and I think they need to understand what it was like for the child protection system in 2007. I am quoting from articles by a couple of very astute journalists for The West Australian . Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : I am happy to wait. The SPEAKER : Thank you. You have two minutes to finish your answer, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, I am very happy to mention this. Jessica Strutt, on 8 March 2007, wrote — An independent report has recommended a complete overhaul of the beleaguered Department for Community Development after finding the child protection system is on the verge of collapse and the community has no confidence in the State Government’s ability to protect vulnerable children. Can I quote another one? Paul Murray wrote, on 13 March 2007 — Premier Alan Carpenter’s response to the Ford review came with no suggestion of remorse or apology for the Government’s appalling performance over the past six years which has been, in the main, a mixture of wrong-headed ideology, denial and political bastardry. … In fact, the Ford review notes that many people — Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : The opposition cannot handle it. The SPEAKER : Members, thank you. Member for Cannington, I do not want you to start commenting on the notice paper. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thirty seconds, thank you. I will speak very fast, but I really want this message to get through. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
I have to say that in this week, National Child Protection Week, I actually have not heard much from the opposition at all. I have not heard a word. I am sorry—a petition was tabled in the upper house today about the unsustainable workloads. Twelve is the lowest in the country—but wait, there is more. The other part of the petition was the failure of the national government to fund the child protection system. That is what the petition was today. That is all the opposition has said during National Child Protection Week. I would like to read a couple of things, because some of the people in this chamber were not here in 2007, and I think they need to understand what it was like for the child protection system in 2007. I am quoting from articles by a couple of very astute journalists for The West Australian . Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : I am happy to wait. The SPEAKER : Thank you. You have two minutes to finish your answer, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, I am very happy to mention this. Jessica Strutt, on 8 March 2007, wrote — An independent report has recommended a complete overhaul of the beleaguered Department for Community Development after finding the child protection system is on the verge of collapse and the community has no confidence in the State Government’s ability to protect vulnerable children. Can I quote another one? Paul Murray wrote, on 13 March 2007 — Premier Alan Carpenter’s response to the Ford review came with no suggestion of remorse or apology for the Government’s appalling performance over the past six years which has been, in the main, a mixture of wrong-headed ideology, denial and political bastardry. … In fact, the Ford review notes that many people — Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : The opposition cannot handle it. The SPEAKER : Members, thank you. Member for Cannington, I do not want you to start commenting on the notice paper. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thirty seconds, thank you. I will speak very fast, but I really want this message to get through. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
I would like to read a couple of things, because some of the people in this chamber were not here in 2007, and I think they need to understand what it was like for the child protection system in 2007. I am quoting from articles by a couple of very astute journalists for The West Australian . Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : I am happy to wait. The SPEAKER : Thank you. You have two minutes to finish your answer, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, I am very happy to mention this. Jessica Strutt, on 8 March 2007, wrote — An independent report has recommended a complete overhaul of the beleaguered Department for Community Development after finding the child protection system is on the verge of collapse and the community has no confidence in the State Government’s ability to protect vulnerable children. Can I quote another one? Paul Murray wrote, on 13 March 2007 — Premier Alan Carpenter’s response to the Ford review came with no suggestion of remorse or apology for the Government’s appalling performance over the past six years which has been, in the main, a mixture of wrong-headed ideology, denial and political bastardry. … In fact, the Ford review notes that many people — Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : The opposition cannot handle it. The SPEAKER : Members, thank you. Member for Cannington, I do not want you to start commenting on the notice paper. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thirty seconds, thank you. I will speak very fast, but I really want this message to get through. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : I am happy to wait. The SPEAKER : Thank you. You have two minutes to finish your answer, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, I am very happy to mention this. Jessica Strutt, on 8 March 2007, wrote — An independent report has recommended a complete overhaul of the beleaguered Department for Community Development after finding the child protection system is on the verge of collapse and the community has no confidence in the State Government’s ability to protect vulnerable children. Can I quote another one? Paul Murray wrote, on 13 March 2007 — Premier Alan Carpenter’s response to the Ford review came with no suggestion of remorse or apology for the Government’s appalling performance over the past six years which has been, in the main, a mixture of wrong-headed ideology, denial and political bastardry. … In fact, the Ford review notes that many people — Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : The opposition cannot handle it. The SPEAKER : Members, thank you. Member for Cannington, I do not want you to start commenting on the notice paper. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thirty seconds, thank you. I will speak very fast, but I really want this message to get through. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
Ms A.R. MITCHELL : I am happy to wait. The SPEAKER : Thank you. You have two minutes to finish your answer, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, I am very happy to mention this. Jessica Strutt, on 8 March 2007, wrote — An independent report has recommended a complete overhaul of the beleaguered Department for Community Development after finding the child protection system is on the verge of collapse and the community has no confidence in the State Government’s ability to protect vulnerable children. Can I quote another one? Paul Murray wrote, on 13 March 2007 — Premier Alan Carpenter’s response to the Ford review came with no suggestion of remorse or apology for the Government’s appalling performance over the past six years which has been, in the main, a mixture of wrong-headed ideology, denial and political bastardry. … In fact, the Ford review notes that many people — Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : The opposition cannot handle it. The SPEAKER : Members, thank you. Member for Cannington, I do not want you to start commenting on the notice paper. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thirty seconds, thank you. I will speak very fast, but I really want this message to get through. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
The SPEAKER : Thank you. You have two minutes to finish your answer, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, I am very happy to mention this. Jessica Strutt, on 8 March 2007, wrote — An independent report has recommended a complete overhaul of the beleaguered Department for Community Development after finding the child protection system is on the verge of collapse and the community has no confidence in the State Government’s ability to protect vulnerable children. Can I quote another one? Paul Murray wrote, on 13 March 2007 — Premier Alan Carpenter’s response to the Ford review came with no suggestion of remorse or apology for the Government’s appalling performance over the past six years which has been, in the main, a mixture of wrong-headed ideology, denial and political bastardry. … In fact, the Ford review notes that many people — Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : The opposition cannot handle it. The SPEAKER : Members, thank you. Member for Cannington, I do not want you to start commenting on the notice paper. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thirty seconds, thank you. I will speak very fast, but I really want this message to get through. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, I am very happy to mention this. Jessica Strutt, on 8 March 2007, wrote — An independent report has recommended a complete overhaul of the beleaguered Department for Community Development after finding the child protection system is on the verge of collapse and the community has no confidence in the State Government’s ability to protect vulnerable children. Can I quote another one? Paul Murray wrote, on 13 March 2007 — Premier Alan Carpenter’s response to the Ford review came with no suggestion of remorse or apology for the Government’s appalling performance over the past six years which has been, in the main, a mixture of wrong-headed ideology, denial and political bastardry. … In fact, the Ford review notes that many people — Several members interjected. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : The opposition cannot handle it. The SPEAKER : Members, thank you. Member for Cannington, I do not want you to start commenting on the notice paper. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thirty seconds, thank you. I will speak very fast, but I really want this message to get through. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
… In fact, the Ford review notes that many people —
In fact, the Ford review notes that many people —
Ms A.R. MITCHELL : The opposition cannot handle it. The SPEAKER : Members, thank you. Member for Cannington, I do not want you to start commenting on the notice paper. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thirty seconds, thank you. I will speak very fast, but I really want this message to get through. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
The SPEAKER : Members, thank you. Member for Cannington, I do not want you to start commenting on the notice paper. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thirty seconds, thank you. I will speak very fast, but I really want this message to get through. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
Ms A.R. MITCHELL : Thirty seconds, thank you. I will speak very fast, but I really want this message to get through. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty seconds, minister. Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
Ms A.R. MITCHELL : To continue — In fact, the Ford review notes that many people submitted that the department had lost its focus since 2001—the year Labor came to power in WA … It had lost its way completely. The system needed to change. Guess what? We have changed the system, and we have made a difference. Our children are the best protected they have ever been, and we will continue to do that. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
The SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I had to let the minister finish, because I gave her 30 seconds. If members want to quote from documents, we want short, succinct quotes. We do not want long quotes from documents.
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