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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 07 Hansard (Thursday, 1 July 2004) . . Page.. 3165 ..

MR CORNWELL (4.23): I rise to support this matter of public importance. The only question I would put is a question mark itself at the end of the “child protection services in the ACT” subject, because I am not sure that they are still operating. The minister talks about the services being below standard and how more money is needed.

There is a culture problem here, I believe. The Vardon report states that I asked a question on 23 September 2003. In fact, I began asking questions on 4 March 2003. I must admit that initially I was quite happy with the answers. A mandated person has to reasonably suspect that a child or young person is suffering sexual abuse or non-accidental physical injury. I began to smell a rat, however, a little later in the same answer when it said:

It should also be noted that responsibility to prosecute persons under the mandatory reporting requirement belongs to the police. This would be an option in cases of extreme negligence.

All of that is fine.

A punitive approach—

it went on—

to mandated reporters is inconsistent with the development of partnerships with the professional community.

I thought it was the police who made this decision, not the department saying yes, of course, we’ll let the police in. However, remember:

A punitive approach to mandated reporters is inconsistent with the development of partnerships with the professional community.

Minister, I thought we were here trying to protect children.

Ms Tucker internationalised the subject and also spoke on social things. Ms Dundas mentioned early intervention and went on with the rights of the young. These are reasonable arguments, but I would put to you that they are of a political nature. I do not necessarily agree but I do not disagree, and I do not want to argue with them now. I want to get back, however, to the real issue, and that is whether family services is actually operating or not in this territory. I have already said the culture appears to be biased.

I will now turn to the question on notice of 23 September, that is, nine months ago. I thank the minister for the answer that in fact the total number of reports of physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect had risen substantially in the year 2002-03—physical, 485; neglect, 442; sexual, 218; a significant increase of 1,145 reports. It was explained that the reason for that is that some reports previously were handled as consultations–how I do not know. However, the reports were changed and we now have these facts.

However, I was particularly concerned a little later at information in an answer to another question that I asked. I asked what percentage of reports of abuse and neglect

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