Page 3339 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 21 August 2018
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help. Naturally, these Canberrans who selflessly care for their grandchildren have concluded that their current government does not care for them.
The final concern I want to address in the care and protection space is the lack of a straightforward and easily accessible process for handling complaints and concerns. First, carers in the territory are being told they can raise their concerns with the Children and Young People Commissioner. More than once, Minister Stephen-Smith has mentioned this option in this chamber. Nevertheless, in estimates hearings the commissioner said she does not know why that recommendation is given, since she cannot actually advocate on behalf of carers.
The reality is that this government does not seem to know how to handle many of the complaints that arise around care and protection issues. In answer to one of my questions in estimates hearings, I was told that existing pathways for the review of these decisions have not been clearly explained previously but would be in an upcoming handbook for carers.
We have known that we have a problem with this issue for many years now. The 2004 Vardon report noted that submissions to the commissioner “highlighted the lack of an independent grievance structure”. Parents, carers and agencies all relayed stories of frustration about having nowhere to go when they disagreed with care and protection decisions. Fourteen years later we have this government admitting that they have not even done a very good job of explaining the pathways that supposedly exist.
I look forward to seeing this new carers handbook but, as has been pointed out before, for a pathway to be useful it has to be accessible. From the Vardon report onwards, the recommendation has been for an independent mediator. Seeking the necessary legal advice in order to deal with these kinds of issues in a court is an effective barrier to most people. I was told in estimates hearings that the government report on what care and protection decisions should be subject to external review is, to quote the minister, “imminent”. I have not seen it yet, but I expect important changes. This and previous Labor governments have dragged their feet for too for long on this issue.
On the subject of youth engagement, I raise a number of points. Again this budget underwhelms. Once again, youth advocates such as the Youth Coalition of the ACT have approached this government with a request that something substantial be done to address youth homelessness and youth unemployment in the territory. To quote from a statement released by the Youth Coalition:
This budget does not deliver on addressing insecure housing and employment for young Canberrans … Young people in our city should not have to sleep in libraries, cars or couchsurf because they are unable to find accommodation in Canberra … It is not acceptable to see this huge gap between those who thrive in this prosperous city, and the young people who don’t have a safe place to live.
We learned during estimates hearings that New South Wales has programs that work with nine to 15-year-olds and their families to prevent homelessness. These family aware programs deal not just with the young person but directly with her or his family to address their pressures and functioning. Often the young person is able to safely stay at home. Where are such programs in this territory? I know that we have
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