Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 


Raft of changes to better protect children

Thursday, 9 February 2012, 9:48 am
Press Release: New Zealand Government



Hon Paula Bennett
Minister for Social Development
Minister of Youth Affairs

9 February 2012 Media Statement

Learning results in raft of changes to better protect children

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says a Ministerial Inquiry into a case of serious abuse of a nine year old, has led to major changes.

“Both parents responsible for the appalling litany of abuse against their nine year old child have now been found guilty and sentenced and that’s where the primary responsibility lies,” says Ms Bennett.

”But I called for a Ministerial Inquiry because it was clear multiple agencies and adults missed the abuse and we have to do things better.”

The Inquiry carried out by former Ombudsman Mel Smith contained thirteen recommendations.

“Most of the recommendations have been addressed and some are included for public consultation through the Green Paper,” says Ms Bennett.

We’ve announced an extra 149 social workers in schools and 96 on the frontline, the Failure to Protect (Crimes Act Amendment) law was passed and the Privacy (Information Sharing) Amendment Bill is progressing.

Within Child, Youth and Family, filing and reporting systems have been reviewed and training of CYF workers to lift practise and supervision has been overhauled. A dedicated phone line for teachers has also been introduced.

“We also signed a memorandum of understanding between CYF, Health and Police so these three agencies can better work together.”

Mel Smith also recommended all agencies have a child centred focus, mandatory reporting of abuse and greater information sharing.

“All of these things are central to the Green Paper and are being publicly debated, I’m also raising questions about kinship care in that process.”

The idea of a Children’s Court is being considered.

“We’ve also agreed changes to ensure child witnesses are better treated, which is part of that child-focused approach,” says Ms Bennett.

“The case that sparked this Inquiry was unusual and it was a big step to call for a Ministerial Inquiry but the lessons have been pivotal to improvements across Government and to the formation of the Green Paper.”

These changes are in addition to work done over the first term of the National Government including:

• The Never, Ever Shake a Baby Campaign
• Supporting Auckland District Health Board’s shaken baby prevention pilot
• The NGO First Response Trial
• Placed CYF social workers into hospitals
• Multi-disciplinary meetings before abused child leaves hospital
• Better data and monitoring systems
• Independent Experts Forum

Green Paper submissions close 28 February and can be made at:
www.childrensactionplan.govt.nz
www.saysomething.org.nz

 
 
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

NEW ZEALAND POLITICS > >


 

Labour refers Liu case to Auditor-General

Labour Leader David Shearer has sent a letter to the Auditor-General asking her to investigate the decision-making process around the case involving Chinese businessman Bill Liu. More>>

Also:


Waikato-Tainui Celebrates End of Lock-Out

Tom Roa, Chair of Te Arataura, Waikato Tainui’s executive has welcomed news that the ten week lock-out of Horotiu workers is drawing to a dramatic close.
“We are all extremely pleased to see this day finally arrive,” said Tom Roa. More>>

Also:

Meridian dumps West Coast hydro plan

(Image: blog.greens.org.nz by Q)

May 22 (BusinessDesk) - Opposition to Meridian Energy's plans for a 100 Megawatt hydro-electric scheme on the undammed Mokihinui River on the South Island's West Coast has forced its abandonment, the state-owned power company has announced. More >>

Fisheries: Slave Labour And Foreign Vessels
The Government has announced it is to require reflagging of foreign-owned fishing vessels operating in New Zealand waters to address labour, safety and fisheries practice concerns. More >>

Also


Budget 2012: Crime And Punishment
Budget 2012 will contribute to a 25 per cent reduction in reoffending by 2017, and 18,500 fewer victims of crime every year from 2017, Corrections Minister Anne Tolley and Associate Corrections Minister Dr Pita Sharples say. More >>

Also:


Elections: Time Running Out to Take Part in Electoral Commission’s MMP Review

Time is running out to have your say on improvements you’d like to see made to our MMP voting system. With only two weeks to go until the first consultation period of the MMP Review closes, the Electoral Commission has received more than 3700 submissions ... More >>


Christchurch: More Green Zoning And More Red Zoning

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced the final decision in almost 11 months of flat land residential zoning in Canterbury…

“It brings the number of residential properties zoned red because they are unsuitable for residential occupation to 7256.” More >>

Gerry Brownlee also announced the green zoning of 421 residential properties in the Port Hills, leaving 1679 houses still under review. More>>

ALSO:


Budget 2012: Squeezing Every Drop Out Of A Zero Budget
The Government is trying to squeeze every drop of publicity out of its ``Zero Budget’’ ahead of its delivery next Thursday.More >>

Gordon Campbell On the Politics of Austerity: Later this month, New Zealand will be subjected to its second austerity Budget in a row. Zero budgeting is being presented as the only path of virtue. This is despite the fact that - elsewhere in the real world - it has been a very bad week indeed for the politics of austerity.More >>
Also

  • Business.Desk - Smokes, booze and property tax breaks prime targets for Budget
  • Labour - User Pays Plan Confirms Failure
  • Labour - Cuts to classes result of government failure
  • ACT - Performance Based Pay for Teachers Long Overdue

  • Budget 2012: Recovery of Canterbury on Track
  • Budget 2012 - Prescription Charges Help Fund Health
  • Budget 2012: Education – Larger Classes For More Money
  • Budget 2012: $144m more for disability support

    • Housing: Social Housing Money Handed Out
    People in need will get the most benefit from Government funding for new housing projects, to be developed by non-government providers. Housing Minister Phil Heatley has announced the successful applicants to the $25.3 million Social Housing Unit ... More >>

    ALSO:

    Iti Jailed In Operation 8 Case
    October 15th Solidarity Group on Sentencing -The sentences of 2.5 years for Taame Iti and Rangi Kemara are manifestly unjust. This is an outrage. The sentences of Urs Signer and Emily Bailey are equally absurd. The judge sought to retry the entire case at sentencing today and himself decided their fate. It is an outrage.More>>

    Also:

    Earlier Trial Coverage:


    Parliament Today: Urgency Follows Budget
    The House moved into Urgency this afternoon after leaders gave their speeches in reply to the Budget Speech.More...

    Also:


    Budget 2012: Prescription Charges Help Fund Health
    Health Minister Tony Ryall has announced the Government will increase the $3 prescription charge to $5 per item up to a maximum of 20 items from 1 January 2013. The savings will be reinvested in the health sector. More >>
    Also:

    Court of Appeal: Govt Should Pay Family Caregivers
    The victory in the Court of Appeal for families caring for disabled family members should be taken notice of by the Government says Green MP Catherine DelahuntyMore >>

    ALSO:

    LATEST HEADLINES

    More RSS  RSS
     
    More RSS  RSS News AlertsNews Alerts
     
     
     
    Parliament
    Search Scoop  
     
     
    powered by newsagent
    NZ independent news