Minister for Children Sarah Courtney’s dismissal of serious issues involving Tasmanian children is again on full display as she refuses to answer crucial questions about a young person’s exit into homelessness from the Ashley Youth Detention Centre.
Ms Courtney today refused to address questions about when she was aware – or what, if anything, she did – about the young person released from AYDC only to subsequently be forced to sleep in a tent.
Shadow Minister for Child Safety Sarah Lovell said Ms Courtney had completely disregarded her important responsibility to act for and protect children.
“This Minister continues to try and convince Tasmanians and convince the Parliament that her priority is to look after children but she cannot seriously expect anyone to believe that when she so wilfully refuses to provide information in relation to important issues,” Ms Lovell said.
“It is absolutely unacceptable that the Minister cannot provide an answer as to how many children have been released from AYDC into homelessness and it is absolutely unacceptable that a young person was given a tent to stay in over the winter.
“Yesterday she left the floor of the Parliament committing to seeking advice and providing answers. Today, she failed appallingly to provide those answers.
“She has serious questions to address.
“When did Ms Courtney first become aware this young person was sleeping in a tent after exiting AYDC?
“Did she act immediately to ensure this young person was safe? Did she act at all?
“How many other young people have been abandoned to homelessness upon release from AYDC and what will she do to make sure this cannot happen again?
“Will she commit to honestly answering these questions?
“Until she does, Tasmanians are right to believe Tasmanian children truly deserve better than this Minister.”
Sarah Lovell MLC
Shadow Minister for Child Safety
