Page 1731 - Week 06 - Thursday, 30 July 2020
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In 2019 the Freedom of Information Act was changed to reduce access to personal information held under the CYP Act. At the time, I was briefed that this was merely tidying things up and that there were adequate pathways in the CYP Act. After being part of this inquiry, I regret my vote and support recommendation 14 of the committee, which states:
The Committee recommends that until such time as improvements for individuals to access information about themselves relating to matters under the Children and Young People Act 2008 … are available under the CYP Act, the ACT Government should restore the pathway for access under section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2016.
I do, of course, acknowledge that decisions about the care and protection of children and young people in the Canberra community are often controversial and complex, and almost always will require a balancing of rights. Of course, keeping our children and young people safe is not just the responsibility of the government and child protection services. It is, rightly, the responsibility of the whole community.
I also acknowledge the important role that CYP staff and the ACT government play in keeping our children safe. I am sure that most interactions work out for the best in the long run. Assembly committees, of course, only hear about problems. I want to thank CYP staff and the rest of the community who, every day, help the kids of Canberra.
I reiterate the thanks of all committee members to those who have contributed to the inquiry. I agree with Mrs Dunne that we hope, and in fact have recommended, that the next Assembly and minister will put these recommendations into practice.
MS STEPHEN-SMITH (Kurrajong—Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Minister for Children, Youth and Families and Minister for Health) (12.09): I take the opportunity to speak briefly on this, not having formally seen the report or anything like that but hearing what people have to say around the recommendations. I make it clear that the government supported and welcomed part 2 of this inquiry, I had some significant concerns in relation to part 1 of this inquiry when it was established. I still have reservations about the appropriateness of a Legislative Assembly committee inquiring into an individual child protection matter, but that is as it is.
I advise the Assembly, and particularly the members of the committee, that the response to the interim report for part 1 is almost finalised, Unfortunately, it was not available for tabling today, but I intend to table it out of session as soon as possible. While Mrs Dunne is right that it is very unlikely that the government will be able to formally respond to the report on part 2 of the inquiry, I assure her and other members of the Assembly that, if I am in a position to do so, I will take the recommendations of this committee and this inquiry very seriously.
I recognise that Ms Cody, Ms Le Couteur and Mrs Dunne have worked really hard, with some very difficult material, in this inquiry. When it was established we recognised that there is work to do, and there is an opportunity to look again at the Children and Young People Act 2008. Elements of that act are out of date and there
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