Weeks after the Yoorrook Commission’s second interim report into Victoria’s child protection system was released, the Labor Government continues to stall on a number of its key recommendations.
Many of the recommendations date back to 2016, but still haven’t been enacted.
The report noted there are “nine recommendations which are still in the process of implementations” some seven years after recommendations from the Commissioner for Children and Young People.
Furthermore, at least 17 recommendations are yet to be enacted following separate reports from the Commissioner in 2017 and 2021, including mechanisms to track life outcomes of young people leaving out-of-home care.
Shadow Minister for Child Protection, Roma Britnell, called on the Labor Government to urgently provide an update on what progress has been made since the 2023-24 State Budget.
Ms Britnell said: “Since the 2019-20 State Budget, the Labor Government has frequently touted $140 million in funding to reduce Aboriginal over-representation in child protection, yet we are still to see positive results.
“The Yoorrook report found that Cultural Support Plans were made mandatory in 2016, but full compliance is still to occur. It also said bringing developmental disability assessments into line with national standards is urgent, but there’s no indication this has occurred.
“The Liberals and Nationals stand ready to work with the Labor Government in a bipartisan way to fix our child protection system, but the Minister needs to front up and explain what progress has been made and detail when further recommendations will be implemented.”
