The number of children in state care has jumped by 9.2% since Rachel Sanderson was appointed as the Minister for Child Protection, one year ago today.
Far from delivering on her promise to reduce the number of children in care, the rate of growth has accelerated under Minister Sanderson.
325 additional children have entered state care since Rachel Sanderson took over.
Departmental statistics available on this day 12 months ago showed 3537 children were in care at the end of January 2018. The latest available figures show by the end of January 2019 there were 3862 children in care. 325 additional children in care is an increase of 9.2%. The previous financial year’s growth rate was 6.1%.
At Budget Estimates hearings on 26 September 2018, Minister Sanderson specified that she would slow growth in the numbers of children in state care to 3.3%.
Quotes attributable to Shadow Minister for Child Protection Jayne Stinson
Rachel Sanderson promised to decrease the number of children in care but instead she’s presided over a rapid rise.
There are 325 more children in care – a 9.2% rise within the 12 months she’s been the Minister.
Rachel Sanderson is clearly overwhelmed by the task at hand. The Minister is failing to meet her own self-imposed targets and seems gripped by inertia.
The Minister has not introduced any reforms that would directly reduce the number of children in care, other than implementing the final phase of the previous government’s legislative changes prompted by the Nyland Royal Commission.
We can’t afford to stand still on child protection. Standing still means going backwards.
If this Minister isn’t up to the important job of protecting our most vulnerable children, Premier Steven Marshall needs to step in and act.