Joint Statement:
Premier
The Honourable Campbell Newman
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice
The Honourable Jarrod Bleijie
29/06/2012
Child protection inquiry announced
The Newman Government has established a Commission of Inquiry to chart a road map for the state’s child protection system for the next decade.
Premier Campbell Newman said the Government was delivering on its election commitment to set up the inquiry and develop the terms of reference within its first 100 days.
“The aim of this inquiry is to ensure Queensland has a high-performing and sustainable child protection system that delivers the best outcomes for children and young people,” Mr Newman said.
“The inquiry will examine the current response to children and families in the child protection system, including service standards and court and tribunal processes.
“The commission will conduct a full and careful review in an open and independent manner.
“Improving the safety of Queensland’s children is a priority and the Government will do whatever it takes to ensure they are safe.”
The inquiry will review the progress of recommendations made in the 1999 Commission of Inquiry into abuse of children in Queensland Institutions and the 2004 Crime and Misconduct Commission of Inquiry Protecting our Children: An Inquiry into the Abuse of Children in Foster Care.
The commission has been directed to deliver recommendations on:
reforms to ensure that Queensland’s child protection system achieves the best possible outcomes to protect children and support families;
strategies to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children at all stages of the child protection system, particularly out-of-home care;
any legislative reforms required; and
any reforms to improve the current oversight, monitoring and complaints mechanisms for the child protection system.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie announced the appointment of the Honourable Tim Carmody SC as the Commissioner.
“During the course of his distinguished legal career, Mr Carmody has worked on many high level trials and appeals in state and federal courts,” Mr Bleijie said.
“Mr Carmody was admitted to the bar in 1982 and made a judge of the Family Court of Australia in 2003, a position he held until 2008.
“He was Counsel assisting on the Fitzgerald Inquiry and the Criminal Justice Commission Inquiry. He was also Queensland Crime Commissioner from 1998 to 2002.
“Mr Carmody is the right person for this job and the Government has every confidence his recommendations will ensure the best protections are in place for our children in the future.”
Under the Terms of Reference, the Commissioner is required to provide a detailed report containing his findings and recommendations to the Premier by 30 April 2013.
The Commission of Inquiry www.childprotectioninquiry.qld.gov.auwill be live from Monday 2 July.
