Assertions made by the Labor Party that child notifications are only answered Monday to Friday, from nine to five are wrong.
It is wrong to suggest that child safety notifications can only be made during business hours. There are a number of different ways people can make an urgent notification, and we encourage anyone to make a report at any time using the method they are most comfortable with.
I am advised there was a two hour period in which the 24-hour call service was inoperable. This is extremely disappointing, and has been rectified – however it is also disappointing that Labor assert notifications could only be made during ‘business hours’.
There is nothing as important as the protection of Tasmanian children, We are committed to a comprehensive whole-of-government redesign of the child safety system to better support families and children at risk in Tasmania.
The Tasmanian Government is investing an additional $24 million in funding to support this redesign, employing more child safety officers and other frontline staff, and assisting vulnerable children with very complex needs in out-of-home care.
Further, the accusation that a staffing position was left empty is also wrong. Short term staff absences are covered appropriately and managed within the standard operations of the Department.
In reference to notification process, there has been no change to prioritising notifications which require statutory assessment and Tasmania’s national reporting is consistent with the majority of jurisdictions.
The Children’s Advice and Referral Service, which is due to be operational later this year, is expected to result in a reduction in notifications over time due to earlier interventions.
It’s time Labor stopped playing politics with vulnerable Tasmanian children.