Brahminy kids must be brought home

Tasmanian Labor
  • Another Roger Jaensch failure
  • Sending at-risk kids to NT wrong
  • New allegations deeply concerning
  • Embattled Minister, Roger Jaensch, must explain why at-risk Tasmanian kids are still being sent to a controversial program in Northern Territory.

    Labor Shadow Minister for Child Safety and Youth, Josh Willie, said Labor has been raising concerns about the Brahminy program for years.

    The Liberal Government temporarily suspended funding for the program in 2016 but then quietly restarted it.

    Now shocking allegations have emerged that the person running the Brahminy program is not who he says he is.

    “Labor has long believed that it is completely unacceptable to be shipping Tasmanian kids off to the Northern Territory instead of caring for them here, where they can be closer to the support of their families,” Mr Willie said.

    “These latest allegations, if proven, are deeply concerning.

    “Roger Jaensch needs to come out of hiding and explain today if he was aware of these allegations and, if so, what he has done about them.

    “Were these allegations examined by the Government’s review of the program in 2016?

    “It is shameful that Roger Jaensch has ignored persistent concerns about this program, particularly from the families of children sent to the Northern Territory, and the Aboriginal community.

    “The Government must immediately redirect funding to Tasmanian programs and bring these kids home.”

    Josh Willie MLC

    Shadow Minister for Child Safety and Youth

    /Public Release. View in full here.