Page 2446 - Week 07 - Thursday, 3 August 2017
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
We are unapologetic about raising the stakes in this issue. If we are not going to raise the stakes about child welfare then we would be negligent as an opposition. But we are raising the stakes. We are telling the minister and the government and the people of Canberra that this government and this minister are on notice. When you are talking about the welfare of the most vulnerable people in our community we owe it to them. We also owe it to the staff who go in day in and day out trying to rehabilitate these kids. They deserve a government that has their back. Instead, it is simply not happening.
It is an inconsistency with this government that they seem to think it is the fault of the victim for not reporting. Imagine if they had that attitude with domestic violence, that it was the fault of the victim for not reporting allegations. There would be outrage. But that is what the government is saying here: any victim who has information has the responsibility, it is their problem and the load is on their shoulders. Well, it should not be on their shoulders; it should be on the minister’s shoulders.
To reasonably expect that people with serious complaints in many instances about how they have been treated by this government must complain to this government is wishful thinking. The government knows that people are not going to complain through that channel. This government knows it is not an inviting channel for people to blow the whistle.
What is more, I think this government has a vested interest in not providing appropriate channels for people to complain. That is why I firmly believe there needs to be a confidential telephone number offered by someone outside of government who can take these complaints seriously. At the moment complainants have no confidence and no trust that they are going to be treated with respect, that it is going to be anonymous and that action is going to be taken.
Madam Speaker, we do not bring on this motion lightly; we believe this minister deserves to be censured, and that is why we are calling on the Assembly to do just that today.
Question resolved in the negative.
Ministerial trade delegation—Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan
Ministerial statement
MR BARR (Kurrajong—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development and Minister for Tourism and Major Events) (11.03): I would like to report to the Assembly on the delegation that I led to Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan between 22 June and 30 June this year. The mission followed the delivery of the 2017-18 ACT budget and a key focus was on promoting government bonds in each market. In addition the mission provided the opportunity to engage in a range of targeted investment promotion activities, as well as sport, arts and cultural initiatives.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video