Queensland's child safety system is ‘broken'. This body is tasked with fixing it
That's according to minister Amanda Camm, who spoke as a $20 million Commission of Inquiry into the Child Safety System kicked off in Brisbane on Wednesday morning.
The inquiry, which is expected to run for 17 months and travel across the state, will investigate failures in the institutions and processes that exist to protect young people – particularly those facing abuse or neglect.
'This is the commission of inquiry that Queensland needs,' the minister for child safety and the prevention of domestic and family violence said outside Brisbane Magistrates Court.
'We need to get to the bottom of … this broken child safety system.'
Given its wide scope, the commission is set to investigate everything from out-of-home care to safety in childcare centres, following multiple high-profile abuse allegations across the country.
Proceedings kicked off in the Roma Street court about 10am on Wednesday.
More than 60 people – including public servants, police representatives, journalists, and at least one child with experience in the out-of-home care system – crammed into the level four courtroom as Commissioner Paul Anastassiou KC began.
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Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Queensland's child safety system is ‘broken'. This body is tasked with fixing it
Queensland is burdened with a 'broken child safety system' that needs fundamental changes to prevent further harm to children. That's according to minister Amanda Camm, who spoke as a $20 million Commission of Inquiry into the Child Safety System kicked off in Brisbane on Wednesday morning. The inquiry, which is expected to run for 17 months and travel across the state, will investigate failures in the institutions and processes that exist to protect young people – particularly those facing abuse or neglect. 'This is the commission of inquiry that Queensland needs,' the minister for child safety and the prevention of domestic and family violence said outside Brisbane Magistrates Court. 'We need to get to the bottom of … this broken child safety system.' Given its wide scope, the commission is set to investigate everything from out-of-home care to safety in childcare centres, following multiple high-profile abuse allegations across the country. Proceedings kicked off in the Roma Street court about 10am on Wednesday. More than 60 people – including public servants, police representatives, journalists, and at least one child with experience in the out-of-home care system – crammed into the level four courtroom as Commissioner Paul Anastassiou KC began.
The Age
2 days ago
- The Age
Queensland's child safety system is ‘broken'. This body is tasked with fixing it
Queensland is burdened with a 'broken child safety system' that needs fundamental changes to prevent further harm to children. That's according to minister Amanda Camm, who spoke as a $20 million Commission of Inquiry into the Child Safety System kicked off in Brisbane on Wednesday morning. The inquiry, which is expected to run for 17 months and travel across the state, will investigate failures in the institutions and processes that exist to protect young people – particularly those facing abuse or neglect. 'This is the commission of inquiry that Queensland needs,' the minister for child safety and the prevention of domestic and family violence said outside Brisbane Magistrates Court. 'We need to get to the bottom of … this broken child safety system.' Given its wide scope, the commission is set to investigate everything from out-of-home care to safety in childcare centres, following multiple high-profile abuse allegations across the country. Proceedings kicked off in the Roma Street court about 10am on Wednesday. More than 60 people – including public servants, police representatives, journalists, and at least one child with experience in the out-of-home care system – crammed into the level four courtroom as Commissioner Paul Anastassiou KC began.
Sydney Morning Herald
02-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Fears of defamation, reputational harm muffle childcare abuse concerns
Risk to reputation, defamation fears, and a 'complex and crowded' regulatory landscape have stifled early childcare services' concerns about potential sexual abuse by staff, a government-commissioned review has found. Commissioned in December last year, the review into Queensland's response to child sexual abuse found some staff members weren't correctly trained to identify suspicious behaviour, and privacy concerns 'minimised' early warning signs. Queensland Minister for Child Safety Amanda Camm said any recommendations delivered by the review would be prioritised, but she would move to patch holes in the system immediately. 'When you're entrusting your child to be educated, they are little, they are vulnerable, [and] we expect they are getting the highest standard in care and education, and we as a government are committed to that,' she said. 'Queensland parents deserve the right for their children to go to childcare and be safe.' Loading The review also covered the Blue Card system, which it found did not screen for concerning behaviour that did not lead to a conviction. It also found about 20 per cent of Queenslanders hold a Blue Card, enabling them to work with children. 'The attorney-general is working with other state attorneys to make sure … we have the checks and balances and the legislative frameworks to be able to hold those people to account if they have perpetrated [against a child],' Camm said.
