inquiry into child protection - parliament of nsw · inquiry into child protection legislative...
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InquiryIntoChildProtectionLEGISLATIVECOUNCIL
GENERALPURPOSESTANDINGCOMMITTEENO.2
InresponsetoaQuestionaskedbytheHonPaulGreen:CASESofREMOVALSofBABIESatBIRTHbyFACSNSW
Youwillreadinthecasespresentedbelowwhatishappeningatthefrontlineisnewbornremovalsinmanydifferentareasofthestate.Manyoftheseremovalsarenotlegalasnodocumentationisservedonthemotheratthetimetheirnewbornisremoved.OftenFACSjustgiveinstructionstoHospitalstaff,whodowhatFACSsaywithnolegalrighttodoso.WehaveraisedthisissuewithindividualHospitalsandHealthDistrictsinformingthemthattheyareactingillegallythemselvesiftheykeepparentsfromtheirchildrenanddenybreastfeedingononlytheinstructionsofFACSwhennolegalPaperworkhasbeenprovidedbyFACSandtheresponseisalwaysthatitisaFACSmatterandweneedtotakeitupwiththem.Hospitalsneedtobeeducatedabouttheparttheyareplayinginillegalnewbornremovalsandtheyshouldbeheldaccountableaswellinthesesituationsastheyhaveadutyofcaretotheirpatients.Allnameshavebeenremoved,asparentswhohaveconsentedtotheircasesummarybeingpresentedremainfearfulthatFACSmaygetaccesstothisinformationanduseittopunishthem.ThesecasesclearlyshowwhyparentingcontractsshouldbeusedandfiledincourtandifparentscomplywithallthatFACSrequest,theyshouldthenautomaticallybeabletokeeptheirbabies.BynotusingtheparentingcontractsitallowsFACStodowhatevertheywantincludingabusingtheirpower.TheconstantdenialofbreastfeedingespeciallycolostruminnotinthebestinterestofanybabybutFACScontinuallydenythenewbornbabiestheirrighttoreceivecolostrumweakeningtheirimmunesystems.TheseareuneducateddecisionsbeingmadebyFACSworkerswhoarenothealthprofessionalsandweseeitasabuseofpoweranddetrimentaltoboththebabyandmother.WhiletheFederalGovernmenthasalreadymadeapologiestotheStolenGenerations,ForgottenAustraliansandforpastforcedadoptionsthesecaseswillshowthatNOTHING
haschangedonthefrontlinewithFACSNSWcontinuingthecrimesalreadyapologisedforinthepast.ThisiswhyFACSPoliciesandProceduresmustbemadelawsotheycanbeenforcedwhenbrokenandwhyitisvitalthatallchildprotectionworkersberegisteredtopracticesoanindependentgoverningbodycanoverseetheirbehaviourandtakeactionwhencaseworkersengageinprofessionalmisconductandcrimesagainstvulnerablechildrenandfamiliesbecausenooneisholdingthemaccountableinAustraliaunlikeotherWesternNationswhereRegistrationinMandatory.Itisclearinmanyofthesecasesthatthesebabiesarenotbeingtakenasalastresort.Case1:DOCSWollongongremovedthenewbornfromWollongongHospitalin2014.ThebabywasbornlateonaFridaynightandDOCSwithoutanypaperworkinformedtheHospitaltoholdthebabytillMondaymorningandnotallowthemothertoBreastfeed.TheHospitalobeyedDOCSdespitenopaperworkorlegalrighttodoso.OntheMondaymorningDOCShadasocialworkertookthemotherandhersupportpersonuptotheChildren’swardforaninterview(thematernityunitwasonlevel2,children’swardwaslevel3).WhiletheywerethereDOCSmovedthebabytotheneonatalunit.ThemotherwasthentoldbyDOCSthatbecauseshehasadisability(aspeechimpediment)thattherewasnothingshecoulddotobecomeabetterparent.DOCSofferedhernohelporsupport,theytoldthemothershecouldsayaquickgoodbyetoherbabybutthenhadtoleavethehospital.Themidwife'sdidalltheycouldtostopithappening.ThemothernevergottobreastfeedanddocstoldhertoleavethehospitaleventhoughthemidwivesandherDoctorinsistedshehadtostayforherownmedicalcare.Shereceivednohelporsupportfromdocsandhadnopriorwarningthebabywastoberemoved.Themidwivestriedtotelldocsthatshewasdoingwellandcopingwellwiththebabybuttheydidnotlisten.ManystaffvoicedtheirsurprisedandangerthatDOCSremovedthisnewbornbaby.Incarecourtfalseallegationsofdrugaddictionandneglectweremadeagainstthemother.Drugtestingprovedthemotherwasnotadruguser,herhousewasamessbutnotuncleanandhersupportpersonhadhelpedherbetterorganisethehouseforthearrivalofthebaby.ApartfromprovingthemotherhadneveruseddrugsherLegalAidsolicitordidnotdefendherincourtandthebabywasplacedonan18yearorder.Case2:FACSBrokenHillNSWinformedFamiliesSAtoremovethismother’sbabyatbirthon7December2015fromFlindersHospitalinAdelaide.Nobreastfeedingwasallowed.ThemotherwasbleedingheavilyafterthebirthandwasstillexposedhavingmedicaltreatmentwhenpoliceandFamiliesSAworkersburstintothebirthunitandremovedthebaby30minutesafterthebirthandtheparentswerenotevenallowedtosaygoodbye.Themothers2eldestchildrenwerewronglytakenintocarebyFACSaftershewasfalselyaccusedofabuseandthatcasehadnotbeenprovenbyFACSinNSW.Herexhusbandwasanevidenceddomesticviolence(DV)abuserandhadusedFACStohelphisFamilyLawCourt(FLC)casetogaincustodyoftheir2childrenbymakingfalseallegationstoFACSagainstthemother.AfterFACSremovedthe2childrenfromthemotheronfalseabuseallegationstheyplacedthemwiththeDVabusingfatherthenwithdrewfromthecaseandtheexhusbandwasthenabletogainfullcustodytillthechildrenwere18intheFamilyLawCourt.TheFatherofthenewbornbabythemother’snewpartnerhadnopreviouschildrennorchildprotectionhistorybuthadgrownupnotknowinghisfatherraisedbyasingle
motherandbecauseofthiswasdescribedtotheCareCourtbyFACSashavingaprobablepoorparentingcapacityandthecourtbelievedFACSopinion.Nohelpandsupportwasprovidedbythedepartmentdespitepromises2daysafterremovalthattheywouldhelpandsupportthefamilytostaytogethernoneofthosepromiseseventuatedandinsteadFACSsoughtan18yearorder.FACSBrokenHilladmittedunderoaththattheyhadpersonalreasonsforgettinginvolvednotjustdepartmentalastheyhadconnectionstothemother’sexhusband.Theparent’ssorttodoparentingcoursesthemselvessuchasCircleofSecurityandsortsupportfromacounselor.TheparentslostLegalaidandhadtorepresentthemselvesatthefinalordersbecausethecasewasdeemedtohavenomeritafterFACShadtoldlegalaidthemotherwouldloseincourt.TheylosttheCareCourtcaseandarenowfightingfortherestorationoftheirbabyintheSupremeCourt.Case3:ThemothergavebirthtohersonatBankstownhospitalon5February2016andLiverpoolFACSremovedthebabyfromthehospitalwhenhewas2weeksoldaftercontinuallytellingthemothershewouldbeabletotakethebabyhome.AcoupleofdaysafterthebirththemotherreceivedacallfromFACSsayingtheywantedtodoasafetyassessmentandthatshehadtostopbreastfeedingandthebabywastoremaininthehospital.NopaperworkwassuppliedbutthehospitalobeyedFACSordersanyway.Theytoldtheparentstheyhad4hourstosaygoodbyebeforetheirsonwastakenaftertheriskassessmentdecidedthemotherhadanintellectualdisabilitythatwouldimpairherparentingcapacity.FACSprovidednohelporsupportforthefamilytoremaintogether.Therewasnofindingofriskagainstthefather.TherewereseveralalternativestoremovalofthebabyincludingplacementwithsupportivefamilymembersbutallwereignoredbyFACS.TheparentsarestillfightingFACSforrestorationoftheirson.Case4:ThisnewbornbabywasremovedbyFACSEdgeworthon7September2015fromJohnHunterHospital.ThemotherwasstillrecoveringfromsedationafterthecesareansectiondeliveryandamidwifehadjustputthebabyontoherbreastforthefirstfeedofColostrumwhenaFACSworkerenteredtheroom,removedthebabyfromthebreastandtookthebabywithoutevenallowingthemothertosaygoodbyewhenthebabywasjust2hoursold.Themotherwasnotallowedtobreastfeedthebaby.FACShadpreviouslytoldthemothertheywerenotlookingatremovingthebaby.NohelporsupportwasprovidedbyFACSeitherbeforeorafterremoval.ThemotherwastoldbyFACSNSWthatifshewenttothemediaortalkedaboutthisonFacebookshewouldnevergetherbabyback.ThereasonforremovalisthemotherhaddisclosedtothehospitalahistoryofapastDomesticViolencerelationship2yearspriorinQLDandthatshehadmovedawayfromthatviolentpartnertoNSWtoprotectherchildreninanswertoaquestionaskedinprenatalcare.FACSthenremovedherother3children3daysbeforethebirthofthebabydespitenopresentriskofharm.Themotherisstillfightingtogetthebabyandherotherchildrenback.Case5:MountDruittFACSofficeremovedthenewbornbabyfromNepeanhospitalthemorningaftertheC-sectiondelivery.Themotherwasnotallowedtobreastfeedherbaby.FACShadtoldthemotherthatshewouldbekeepingherbabybutremovedheranywayjusthoursafterthebirthon9May2016.FACShadconcernsaboutthemother’sparentingcapacity,theydidnotprovideanyhelporsupporttothemother.ThemotherisstillfightinginCareCourtforthereturnofherbaby.
Case6:Thismother’snewbornbabywasremovedatbirthfromWestmeadHospitalon26June2013byDOCSParramatta.ThereasonforremovalwasthismotherhadescapedfromaDVrelationshipbutdidnotyethavestablehousing.Herrequesttobreastfeedwasdenied.ShehadnoideathatFACSwouldtakeherbabyandnohelporsupportwaseverprovidedbyFACS.ShewaspoorlyrepresentedbyaLegalAidsolicitorwhodidnottakeherinstructionordefendherandconsentedtobothEstablishmentandfinalorderstillthebabyis18againstthewishesofthemother.Case7:ThisbabywasremovedfromhismotheratCampbelltownhospitalbyFACSIngleburnwhenhewas1dayoldon28May2015.ThemotherbreastfedherbabyforthefirstdaybutwasnotallowedtocontinuetobreastfeedonceFACSremovedhim.ThereasonforremovalaccordingtoFACSwaspossiblefutureriskofharmasayoungmother.NohelporsupportwasprovidedbyFACS.TheoutcomewasfightinginCarecourtfor13months,halfthattimebeingrefusedrestorationnowaftersuchalongfightFACShaveofferedNewpinservicesforrestoration.
Case8:StMarysFACSremovedthenewbornbabyfromNepeanhospitalon20December2015.Reasonforremovalthefatherhadsmokeddope.HethengothelpfromDrugservicesandcompleteddrugcoursesandwasclean,andwashonestwithFACSandhadtoldthemofhishistory.FACShadsaid,theparentscouldkeepthebabyintheircare,butthenchangedtheirmindsanddecidedtoremovethebabyonthe3rddayafterbirth.Themotherhadbeenbreastfeedinguntilremovalandthencontinuedtoexpressherbreastmilkevery3hoursanddeliverittoFACSforherbabytotheOutofHomeCareFACSfreezereveryvisitation.Howeverafter2months,themotherfoundoutthatFACSdidn'tgiveanyofherexpressedbreastmilktoherbabysoshestoppedexpressing.AparentalcapacityreportwasthenrequestedbyFACSthatwasfulloflies,anddiscriminationand,deemedthemotherunfit.NohelporsupportwasofferedbyFACS.Theparentsarestillfightingforthereturnoftheirbabyandtoevidencetheliesstatedintheparentalcapacityreport.
CASE9:Thismotherhadtwonewbornbabiestaken,bothfromCampbelltownhospitalbyFACSCampbelltown.ThefirstbabywasborninSeptember2012andFACSallegedthebabyhadbeenemotionallyharmedeventhoughnotyetbornasthemotherhadbeeninaDomesticallyviolentrelationshipwiththefatherbuthadalreadylefthim.Thebabygirlwastaken5hoursafterbirthonaSaturday.ThesecondchildwasborninSeptember2013andthemotherandhernewpartnerdidnotknowshewaspregnantuntilaFACSworkersearchedthemothersMedicarerecordsandcalledherdoctortofindoutwhyshehadvisitedthedoctorandthenrequestedherDoctortoperformapregnancytestonthemotherwithoutherknowledgeorconsent.PriortolearningshewaspregnantafterthispregnancytestthedoctorhadkepttellingthemotherthereasonshefeltsickwasfromthestressshewasunderfightingtohaveherfirstbabyreturnedthroughCareCourtandfightingtheCriminalabusecaseagainstherexpartner.Thesecondbabywasremoveddueto“attemptedconcealmentofthepregnancy”whichwasnottrueandthemotherwouldhaveinformedFACSifshehadofknownandalsothatherfirstbornbabyhadbeenremoved.Thesecondbabywasremovedafewhoursafterbirth.FACSwouldnotletthemotherbreastfeeddespitefightingasbesttheycouldtobeallowedtoasitwasinthebaby’sbestinterest.ThemotherlostbothcasesinCareCourtin2014becauseLegalAiddidnotdefendher.Theparentsnowhaveanewprivatesolicitorwhoislettingtheparentspayoffhisfeeseachweekandhavereturnedthemattertocourttofightforthereturnofbothchildren.
Case10:FACSCampbelltownremovedthenewbornbabyfromCampbelltownHospital6hrsafterhewasbornon26November2009,becausethemotherhadsufferedacardiacarrestduringthedelivery.WhenFACSarrivedtotakethebabythemotherwasstillveryillfromherhearthavingstoppedandFACSusedthatasthereasonforremovalsayingthebabywasatriskofneglectasthemotherwouldnotbewellenoughtocareforhim.ThemotherwasdeniedthechancetobreastfeedbyFACSandnohelporsupportwasprovidedbyFACS.Thebabywasrestoredat7monthsafterthemotherfoughtFACSincourtandwonatgreatexpensetoherfamily.
Case11:St Mary’s DOCS removed this newborn at 3 days old from Nepean Hospital in January 2008 because the mother was young and had few supports. TheentiretimethemotherwaspregnantDOCShadtoldhershewouldbeabletokeepherbaby.DOCScameinwithanorderofremovalandtoldthemotherifshemovedintoasupportedhousetheywouldgivehimback.SoafterafewweeksoftryingtofindaplacementwithoutanyhelporsupportfromDOCSthemotherwasacceptedinsupportedaccommodationforaperiodof6months.Themotherandbabywerethenreunitedandshecaredforhimverywellfor6monthsaccordingtothereports.Thenwhenthebabywas6monthsoldDOCSfiledacareplanwantingorderstillthebabywas18yearsoldforpossibleriskoffutureharmasthemotherhadneverharmedherbaby.TheLegalAidsolicitordidnottakethemothersinstruction,norfightforhertokeepherbabyandDOCSwonthecasewithnoevidenceasnoneisneededinCareCourtandthebabywasremovedagainandplacedincaretillheis18yearsoldandfollowingthesecondremovalthemotherhadabreakdownduetothegrief,lossandworryforherson.
Case12:FACSGosfordremovedthisnewbornfromGosfordHospitalin2015straightafterbirthdespitethePaternalGrandmotherwillingandabletoprovideprotectivecareforthebaby,butFACSrefusedtoevenaccessher.ThefatherandhispartnerwerelivingwiththePaternalGrandmotheratthetimeandshehadalreadypreparedaroomforthebabyandplannedtohelphersonandhispartnercareforthebaby.FACSwouldnotletthemotherbreastfeed.TheyhadnoideathebabywouldberemovedpriortoFACSarrivingintheBirthUnit.Theonlyreasongivenforremovalwasthemotherhadbeenachildincare.Thefamilyisstillfightingtohavethebabyreturned.
Case13:WyongFACSremovedthebabygirl4hoursafterbirthfromWyongHospitalin2015becausethemotherhadanintellectualdisability.Thefatherhasnodisability.Nohelporsupportwasprovidedandtheywerenevergivenachancetoprovetheircapacitytobegoodparents.Theydidnotevengetachancetobreastfeedorsaygoodbye,FACSthentrickedthemotherintosigningtheirdaughterawayuntilshewas18yearsoldastheyhadnosolicitorandshedidnotknowwhatshewassigning.Theparentsareheartbrokenanddevastatedandstilldonotunderstandwhytheirbabywas“stolen”.
Case14:Thenewbornbabywasremoved3hrsafterhewasbornatChristmastime2015fromNepeanhospitalbyMountDruittFACS.FACSdidnotallowthemothertobreastfeed.TheirfirstcontactwithFACSwas6weeksbeforethebirth.Theparentsweretoldthemonthbeforethebirththeirbabywasnotbeingremovedasthemotherhadlotsofcommunitysupportandwasworkingwithindigenoussupportservices.FACSdidnotsupportthemotheratall.ThereferralsFACSsaidtheymadeneverhappenedasprovenincourtdocumentslater.FACSeventoldthemother’sothersupportworkerswhentheyrangandemailedeveryweektoaskforanupdatethattheywouldnotbetakingthebaby.
ThereasonFACSbecameinvolvedandthebabywasremovedwasbecauseofthestateofhousethatwasbeingrenovatedatthetime.Thebabywasborntheweekbeforerenovationswheretobecompleted.FACSwhereawareofthedatestherenovationsweretobecompletedastheywereprovidedtothem6weekspriortobirthatthefirstcontact.
Themotherevenmovedintoarefugefromthetimeofdischargetilltherenovationsonthehomewerecompleted,asthatwastheagreementreachedbeforebirthwithFACS.TheparentswhereinvolvedwithaboriginalfamilyplanningcirclesallgoalswherecompletedbeforebirthexceptthoseFACSwheresupposedtocompete.Theoutcomewasthemotherwasforcedtoagreetoan18yearsorderafterbreakingdownandnotbeingabletocopewithfightingagainstFACSanylonger.FACSdidnotworkwiththeparentsatallandstillwon’tastheykeptsayingthatoncethereisnorestorationasstatedintheirfirstCarePlanfiledintheCareCourttheydon'thavetoworkwithfamilies.
Case15:Thisfather’syoungestsonwasremoved3hoursafterhewasbornbyMuswellbrookFACSfromSingletonHospitalinMay2016.HehasnotbeenabletoevenmeethissonasFACShasplacedhiminCatholicCareinNewcastle.Theywon'tallowthefatheranycontactatallwithhim.WhenhecallsFACStheytellhimtoringCatholicCare,whenhecallsCatholicCaretheytellhimtocallFACS.UntilDNAevidenceprovesheisthefatherFACShaverefusedtoprovidehimwithanyinformationaboutthecaseeventhereasonforremovalfromthemotherastheywerenolongerpartnersatthetimeofthebirth.
Case16:FACSremovedthisnewbornatbirthfromSydneyChildren’sHospitalatRandwickbecausethemotherwasonly14yearsoldin2014.FACSdidnotprovideanyhelporsupporttothemother.Themotherwassupportedbyhersister,grandmothersandAuntiesinhercommunity.
Inthemother’sownwords:
“WhatreallymademeangrywiththewholeFACSgovernmentorganisationisthattheytriedtomakemesignmylittlegirlovertothestatetillshewas18.Thiswasn’tadayortwolaterthiswasstraightafterIgavebirth.MebeingsoyoungandexhaustedIdidn’tknowwhatthepaperworkwasandIdidn’tbotherreadingitcausehonestlywhat14yearoldreadsthingsallthewaythrough.FACSjusttoldmeIhadtosignitandIdid.
Theyneverletmehaveherinmyroomatthehospitaltheyputherinthenurseryforsafetytheysaid.Whatsafetyconcerndidtheyhave?MyauntywasintheroomwithmethewholetimeIlovemylittlegirlwithmywholeheartshe’smyworldIwouldneverhurther.TheymademefeellikeacriminalandabadpersonthatIcouldn’tevenhavemylittlegirlwithmewhatmadeitharderwasthatafterIgavebirthcauseitwasanaturalbirthIcouldhardlywalkithurtsobadtoevengetupandgotothetoiletbutIstillgotupevery10–30minutestogoseeherinthelockednursery.
AdayafterthebirththehospitaltoldmeIcouldgohomeIsaidIdidn’twanttogohomeIwanttostayjustonemoredaysoIcouldspendmoretimewithhertheyturnedmedownIfeltsohopelessanddepressedandIwentintothenurserytohavemylastgoodbyeitwassohardformetosaybyetomylittleangelIpickedherupwithalleyeswatchingmeItoldher“mummylovesyou,mummywillneverforgetyou,Iloveyou”.AndthenIputherdownballingmyeyesoutasthedoorshutIwaslookingforcomfortsomeonetohugmeandsayit’llbeokmyFACSworkeratthetimetoldmeshewasnotallowedtotouchmeandgivemesupport.”
Case17:Thismotherhashad2babiesremovedatbirthbothbyFACSEastMaitland,fromtheMaitlandHospital.
FirstBabywasdelivered1monthearlyandplacedintheSpecialCareNursery.SeveralfalsevexatiousreportshadbeenmadetoFACSbythenewpartnerofthematernalgrandfatherwhodidnotgetonwiththerestofthefamilyandtheywereaboutthematernalgrandmother.Themotherwaslivingwithhermother(thematernal
grandmother)atthetimethebabywasborn.ThefalseallegationsincludedthattheMaternalgrandmotherhadphysicallyattackedthemotherwhileshewaspregnantandwasdrunkandondrugs.Theseallegationswereprovenfalseincludingcleandrugtestsbythematernalgrandmother.SoFACSinformedthemotherthatshecouldkeepherbaby,astherewerenorisksfound.Butonday6the3March2015themotherandherfamilyweretakentoaroomandconfrontedby10policeofficersand4FACSworkersandhandedpaperworkstatingthebabywasbeingremovedforpossiblefutureriskofharm.TheparentswerenotevenallowedtosaygoodbyeandescortedfromtheHospital.Tendayslaterthemotherbecameveryillfromaninfectionandnearlydiedandsufferedabreakdownduetotheforcedremovalofherson.FACSprovidednohelpandsupportandtheirLegalAidSolicitordidnottaketheirinstructionsorfightforthereturnoftheirbabyand18yearordersweregranted.
Thesecondnewbornremovalwason12February2016.Bythistimetheparentswerelivingintheirownunitwitheverythingsetupforthebaby.FACShadvisitedthem3timesduringthepregnancy,ataprenatalvisit,attheirunitandattheMaternalGrandmothersHouse.FACSpreparedSafetyandCarePlansandallstatedthattheparentscouldkeepthisbaby.ButassoonasthebabywasbornandwhilethemotherwasexhaustedFACSarrivedwithpaperworkwantingthemothertosign18yearordersforthisbaby.Themotherrefused.Laterthatafternoon2FACSworkersagainvisitedandtoldthefamilythattheyhadreviewedthesafetyplanandcareplanandtheycouldkeeptheirbabyandtheyallsignedthenewSafetyplanthatstatedtheywereofnorisktothechildandcouldtakehimhomethatafternoon.
Howevertheverynextday2strangerswhodidnotidentifythemselvesarrivedandaskedtheparentstogowiththemtoanotherroomforameetingwithFACS.TheparentsrefusedandsaidthattheyhadworkedeverythingoutwithFACStheafternoonbeforeandcouldtaketheirbabyhomeandhadthesignedsafetyplantoproveit.Then2FACSworkersenteredtheroomandphysicallytookthebabyfromthemotherwithNOpaperworkatall.Theparentsdidnotevengettosaygoodbye.ThemotherwasdeniedtherighttobreastfeedherbabybyFACS.Thelegaldocumentsforremovalwerenotprovidedfor4daysandthereasongivenforremovalwasthatthebrotherwasincare.
BothboyshavebeenplacedwithCatholiccareforadoptionwithnonindigenouscarersandFACShaverefusedtoacknowledgetheboysareindigenouseventhoughevidencewasprovidedfromtheSupremeCourtprovingthefamiliesAboriginalityandthesechildrenareindigenous.
Theparentsarestillfightingthecasetohavetheirboysreturnedandtostoptheforcedadoptions.Sadlythefirstbornwhotheyareonlyallowedtoseeforahourevery2monthshasnobondwithanyoneandtheyareverydistraughtasallhedoesissitinacornerandcryatcontactandrefusetheirattemptstohughimbecauseofthetraumaanddamageofhisremovalandsuchlimitedcontact.Thesecondbabyboytheystillgettoseeeveryweeksofar.TheparentsarealsoveryconcernedthatwhentheydohavecontactwiththeirboystheyarecoveredinbruisesandFACSdonothingaboutit.FACShavenotprovidedanyhelporsupporttotheseparents,norabidedbytheAboriginalPlacementprinciples.
Case18:Thisfatherwaslivingwithhis18yearolddaughterfromapreviousrelationshipandhis2andahalfyearolddaughterwithhisnewpartner.Heandhispartnerhadbeenhavingsomedifficultiesintheirrelationshipbutforthesakeofhisyoungdaughterhewastryingtoworkthingsout.On5March2016thefatherwasworkingoutsidewhenheheardalittlebabycryingandwalkedintothehousetofindhispartnerhadjustgivenbirthtoanewbabyandwasshocked,ashehadnoideashewaspregnant.Hecalledanambulance.TheMotherandbabytestedpositivetodrugssothebabywasremoved
straightawaybyFACSCessnockfromMaitlandHospitalandhewasnotallowedtoevenseehisnewbornsonatall.
MeanwhilethemothertookofffromtheHospitalandmovedtoSouthAustraliaandhehashadnocontactwithhersincethedaythebabywasborn.
HereceivedaphonecallfromFACSaskinghimtobringhisdaughtersintotheirofficesotheycouldsightthemandinterviewhim2daysafterthebabyboywasbornandhedidasasked.FACSfoundnorisktothechildreninhiscare.
Thentheverynextday2Policeand2FACSworkersbrokeintohishomeandforciblyremovedhis2yearolddaughter.AndinformedhimhecouldnotseethenewbabyorreceiveanyinformationabouthimuntilhewasproventobethefatherthroughDNAtesting.Ittook3monthsforFACStoconfirmhewasthefatherthroughDNAandhegottoseeandholdhissonatacontactvisitforthefirsttimewhenhewas3monthsoldandgivenweeklyvisitssincethen.
ThefatherhasnotreceivedanyhelporsupportfromFACS.
FACSfailedtoservethefatherwithanylegalpaperworkandonlythedaybeforehewastoappearincourthewasinformedandthenhadtoride14km’sbybiketotheFACSofficetocollecttheFACSapplicationandaffidavitagainsthimandhehadnotimetoreaditandrespondtoitorgetasolicitorintimefortheEstablishmentHearing.Alegalaiddutysolicitorwithouthisinstructionsconsentedtothecasewithoutadmissions.FACShadalegalobligationtoservethepaperworkonthefather,whichtheyignored.
Thefatherlaterfoundoutinthecourtdocumentsthathisbabysonremainedinhospitalfor2weeksallaloneandnotevenhis18yearsoldsisterhadbeenallowedtovisithim.HealsodiscoveredthathischildrenhadbeenplacedwiththeMaternalGrandparentswhohaveactuallysplitupbuthavenotinformedFACSandastheyneverlikedhimtheyhavemadealotofderogatoryuntrueallegationstoFACSabouthim.ItwasjustrevealedincourtthatFACShavenotevendoneaplacementassessmentoranychecksonthematernalgrandparentssofarandFACShavenoteventakencareoftheneedsofhischildrenashissonhasnotevenhadacheckupwithaPaediatrician.
ThefathernowhasasolicitorandiscurrentlyfightingthecaseinCareCourttohavehischildrenrestored.
Case19:TheparentsinthisnewbornremovalinAugust2015werebothchildrenincarewhentheybecamepregnant.Atthetimeofbirththemotherwas18andhadleftcarewhilethefatherwasstillincareandaged17yearsold.TheywerebothinResidentialcareformanyyearswithdifferentNGO’sandhadseveralsupportservicesinvolvedwiththem.DespiteFACSinformingthemtheywouldbeabletokeeptheirbabyastheirsupportservicesandmademanypositivereportsFACSLakembaremovedtheirbabyatBirthfromKingGeorgeHospitalwithoutwarning.Thereasongivenwasastheyhadbeenincaretheywouldnothavetheparentingcapacitytoraisethechild.TheywererepresentedbyLegalAidsolicitorswhoconsentedbothtoestablishmentandfinalordersagainstthewillandinstructionoftheparents.FACSprovidednohelpandsupport.Theparentshaveontheirowninitiativecompletedseveralparentingcoursesbutstilllosttheirbabywhowasplacedonan18yearorder.AproBonoSolicitorhasnowappealedtheircaseintheDistrictcourtandthematterisstillbeforethecourt.SadlyunlikeallotherjurisdictionswhenacaseisappealedtheFinalOrdersmadeinCareCourtstillapplyandthebabyhasbeenmovedoutofSydneyand
placedwithanadoptivecouplewhoaregayandlivewithapersonwhoworksfortheveryNGOwhoplacedthechildforadoptionwiththiscouple.Thecontactbetweenthebabyandparentshasnowbeensignificantlyreducedtothepointtheydonotevenknowwhentheywillseetheirsonagain.Case20:FACSWyongremovedthisnewbornbaby4hoursafterhewasbornfromGosfordHospitalinSeptember2014.FACShadtoldthemotherandgrandmotherthatshecouldkeepthebabyanditwouldnotberemovedseveraltimesandinasafetyplaninwritingbeforethebirth.FACSrefusedthemothersrequesttoBreastfeed.FACSprovidednohelpandsupportandallowedonlyashortvisitwiththebabylaterthatafternoontosaygoodbyethentoldthemothershehadtoleavethehospital.NopaperworkwasprovidedbyFACSwhenthebabywasremovedanditwasnotuntilover2weekslaterthatanydocumentsandpaperworkwereprovidedbyFACStothemother.ThebabywasplacedinFosterCarewithanNGOandthecarerswanttoadoptthebaby.TheGrandmotherbecameapartytothecaseandfoughtforthebabybuthadpoorlegalaidrepresentationandFACSdidnotlikethegrandmotherandrefusedtoevenhaveherassessedforplacementbecauseshewassupportingherdaughter.TheGrandmotherhasappealedthecaseandcontinuestofightforrestorationofhergrandsonthroughthecourts.Therewasnorealreasongivenfortheremovalthedocumentstated“Blanketissues”andwhenaskedtoexplaintheconcernsasallreportswerepositiveandthemotherhadcompletednumerousparentingcoursesFACSdidnotanswer.Case21:Themothergavebirthat11.25pmon1April2015atKingaroyHospitalinQLD.Themotherhadsufferedfromgestationaldiabetessothebabywasmonitoredinthenurseryovernight.Afterthefirstinitiallowbloodglucoselevelatbirththebabywasstableandhadnormalreadingsovernightduetofrequentbreastfeeds.Themotherhadbreastfedherbabysixtimessincethebirthandwassittinginachairabouttobreastfeedherbabyforthe7thtimeataroundlunchtimethefollowingday2April2015(EasterThursday)when2womenapproachedthemotherfrombehindandstatedwordstotheeffectthattheywerefromChildSafetyandwereremovingherbabystraightaway.Themotherbegancryingandaskedwhyandwherewastheirpaperwork?Thechildsafetyworkerrespondedwithwordstotheeffecttheydidnothavepaperwork.Acaseworkerthenlentoverthemotherfrombehindandroughlygrabbedthebabyfromthemothers’arms;bothamittenandblanketcameoffintheprocessandthecaseworkersleftwiththebaby.Themotherwasnotevenallowedtosaygoodbyeandestimatestheentireforcedremovaltookaround40seconds.Astheywerebehindthemothertheentiretimeshedidnotevengettoseethefacesofthecaseworkers,nordidtheyprovideanyproofofidentityorgiveareasonforremovingthebabywithoutanywarningorpriorcontactwithQLDChildSafety.IspokeinpersonwiththeIndigenousLiaisonofficeratKingaroyHospitalwhoinformedmeshereceivedaphonecallaskinghertogoandsitwiththemotherbecause2DOCSworkerswerecomingtotalktothemother.TheIndigenousworkerwasnottoldthebabywasgoingtobeforciblyremoved.Theofficerdescribedanddemonstratedtomewhatoccurredduringtheforcedremovalofthisbabyandheraccountconfirmedthereportbythemother.TheindigenousLiaisonOfficerwasbothshockedanddistressedbythebehaviouroftheDOCScaseworkersandshedescribedtheeffectithadonherandhowtroubledshewasovertheEasterweekendbywhatshewitnessed.Shestateditbroughtbackmemoriesofthestolengenerationandrabbitprooffenceandthatmanyothersatthehospitalhadexperiencesimilardifficultemotions.
FACSMaitlandNSWhadcontactedDOCSKingaroyQLDinthiscaseandrequestedthebabyberemovedatbirthandputonaplanetoNSWastheyhadcarerslinedupforthebaby.ThereasonforremovalwasthemotherwasknowntoFACSMaitlandasaformerchildincareandhadacquiredajuvenilejusticerecordforminormatterswhileincare6yearspriortothebirthofthisbaby.WithoutanycontactorassessmentoftheparentsortheirhomeinQLD,DOCSQLDcarriedouttheordersofFACSNSWwithoutquestionanddidnotevenhaveanypaperworkfromFACSNSWatthetimethenewbornwasforciblyremoved.ThepaternalnonindigenousfamilywhohavenochildprotectionconcernsandliveinNSWarefightingforpermanentcareofthebaby.CASE22:Ihaveincludedthiscasetoillustratetheongoingstruggleanddevastationofafamilywhohadtheiryoungestsonremovedatbirthdespitenopriorchildprotectionhistoryandraisingtheir3othersonswhowereaged8,10and11atthetimethenewbornwasremovedwhohaveallremainedintheircare.ThisnewbornwasremovedatbirthfromGosfordHospitalbyDOCSGosfordinJuly2006andplacedwithasinglenonindigenousfemalecarerwhowantedtoadopthimfromthestartandhasusedherSurnameforthechildwithnolegalrighttodosoanddoneeverythingshepossiblycouldtokeepthebabyfromhismother,indigenousfatherandsiblingsallcondonedbyDOCS.Themotherhadbeenhospitalisedforthelast6weeksofherpregnancyandduringtheadmissionwasthoughttobedepressedsoDOCSwereinformed.Themotheraskedthemforhelpbutinsteadofprovidinganyhelporsupporttheyjusttookhernewbornson.ShewasnotallowedtobreastfeedandasaresultofhershockanddistressathavingherbabytakenshesufferedpostnataldepressionandPostTraumaticstressdisorder.ThenewbornwasindigenousandDOCSnewthisatthetimetheyplacedhimincare.Within5monthsoftheforcedremovalofthisnewbornhewasplacedon18yearorders.Thereasongivenwasthemothermightselfharmandthebabywouldbetooyoungtobeabletopickupthephoneandcallforhelp.DOCSneverevenvisitedthefamilyhomeordidanyinvestigationsofthefamilyandextendedfamilymanyofwhomwantedtocareforthisbaby.TheparentswerepoorlysupportedbyaLegalaidsolicitorwhodidnotdefendthemortaketheirinstructions.Theimmediatefamilywasgivenonly6contactvisitsayearandtheyhavenevermissedany.Extendedfamilymembershaveallbeendeniedcontact.Theentirefamilyhaveallsufferedtraumafromtheremovaloftheiryoungestsonandbrotheraswellastheremovedchild.ThemotherhasfoughtseveraltimesonherownwithSection90’sforbothincreasedcontactandrestorationandwhilenolongerconsideredofanyrisktotheremovedchild,hasbeendeniedeachtimeonthegroundsthatthechildhasabondwiththecarerandisstableinhisplacement.TheAlliancebecameinvolvedinthiscase2yearsagowhenthemotherreceivedpaperworktohavethischildforciblyadoptedandweadvocatedstronglyagainstsuchamoveandforrestorationofthischildtohislovingfamilywherehebelongs.SofartheadoptionplanshavebeenputonholdbutnoefforttowardsrestorationorincreasedcontactwithhisfamilyhasbeenallowedbythecarerorFACSNSW.OnlyduetotheadoptionassessmentdidFACSconducttheirfirsthomevisitandspeaktotheoldersiblingsforthefirsttimeever7yearsaftertheyforciblyremovedthisnewbornbaby.
InquiryIntoChildProtectionLEGISLATIVECOUNCIL
GENERALPURPOSESTANDINGCOMMITTEENO.2
InresponsetoaQuestionaskedbyMrDavidShoebridgeEvidenceforthestatisticsforchildrenincareforthetableonpage2ofour
submission,whichwascollatedinearly2014onthelatestavailablestatisticsatthattime.
Wehavetakenthisopportunitytoupdatethestatisticswerepossibleandthe
updatedinformationisprovidedinthenewtableandevidencebelow:AustraliashamefullycontinuestohavethehighestnumberofchildreninCare
perheadofpopulationthenotherwesternnationsbecausewelacktheaccountabilityinchildprotectionthatotherwesternnationshavebuiltintotheirsystems.Australiahasnotlearnedfromthelessonsofothercountriesandfocusedprimarilyonearlyintervention,familysupportandpreservationandinNSWrestorationbyinmostcasestaking18yearorderswithoutcasereviews.
Mandatoryregistrationforallchildprotectionworkersisthefirstlineof
accountabilitythatislackingisAustraliaalongwithnoindependentcomplaintsmechanismthathasthepowertoinvestigateandprosecutecrimesagainstvulnerablechildrenandfamiliesbythechildprotectionIndustry.
TheEvidencegiventotheCommitteebytheOmbudsman’sofficeatthepublic
HearingwasmisleadingwhenthedeputyOmbudsmanspokeofclearupratesforcomplaints.IwasabletospeakwithtwoofhisstaffthatwereinattendanceonthelasttwopublicHearingdaysandIinformedthemIwasnothappywiththeirofficeorthewaytheyhadmisledParliament.Theclearuprateofcomplaintsishighbecausetheombudsmanusesapartofhislegislationthatsaysanymatterthatisbeforethecourttheycannotinvestigateandasallchildprotectionmattersarebeforethecourttheydonothingwiththeevidencedcomplaints.WhenthecourtmatterisfinishedtheOmbudsman’sofficeagaindismisscomplaintsonthebasistheyare12monthsold.SotheirclearuprateishighbecausetheysendoutstandardletterstothiseffectwhenthecomplaintisaboutFACSNSW.WhenIspokewiththerepresentativesfromtheOmbudsman’sofficetheyagreedwithmeandsaidtheyhadreadoursubmissionand
explainedthatcomplaintsfromvulnerablechildrenandfamiliesinvolvedwithFACSwasnotpartoftheirlegislationpowerandthatiswhytheycannotinvestigatethecomplaints.
Country Population Number of children in OOHC Rate per million Australia 23.5 Million 54,000 2298 Finland 5.4 million 10,675 1851 Canada 35.5 million 62,000 1746 USA 319 Million 402,000 1260 UK 64.1 Million 68,000 1060 New Zealand 4.5 million 4129 917 Sweden 9.6 Million 8025 833 Spain 46.5 million 35,500 763 Norway 5 million 3300 660 Italy 60.7 million 29,300 482 Due to the refugee situation in Europe countries like Norway and Sweden have taken into
care many unaccompanied minor children causing the rise in their numbers. While other European countries such as Italy have not released updated statistics due to both the refugee influx and reporting obligations to the European Union rather then individual country reports.
Australiapopulation:23,490.000http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/3101.0Main+Features1Ju
n%202014AustralianChildreninOOHC:54,025http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=60129554973
NewZealandPopulation:4,509,700http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/snapshots-of-nz/nz-in-profile-
2015/population.aspx
FinlandPopulationstatistics:
http://www.stat.fi/til/vaerak/2014/vaerak_2014_2015-03-27_tie_001_en.html
FinlandChildinCareStatistics:https://www.thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-
en/statistics/statistics-by-topic/social-services-children-adolescents-and-families/childwelfare
PopulationstatisticsinCanada:http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/140926/dq140926b-eng.htm
ChildreninCareinCanada:http://cwrp.ca/faqs
USAPopulationstatistics:
http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk
USAchildrenincarestatistics:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/cb/afcarsreport21.pdf
UKPopulationstatistics:http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20160105160709/http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/pop-estimate/population-estimates-for-uk--england-and-wales--scotland-and-northern-ireland/2013/sty-population-estimates.html
UKChildrenincarestatistics:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/244872/SFR36_2013.pdf
TheUKrefertoChildrenlookedafterratherthenchildreninOutofHomeCare
(OOHC)andincludechildrenwhoremainwiththeirparents3,260andthoseadopted3350,thosestillcaredforthathaveleftcareandthoseinjuvenilejusticecenters.SotherecomparativefigurewithAustraliaisactuallyfarless.
SpainPopulationstatistics:http://www.ine.es/en/prensa/np854_en.pdf
Spainchildrenincarestatistics:
http://www.redalyc.org/pdf/1798/179829308008.pdf
NorwayPopulation:https://www.ssb.no/en/befolkning/artikler-og-
publikasjoner/this-is-norway-2014
Norwaychildrenincarestatistics:https://www.ssb.no/en/sosiale-forhold-og-
kriminalitet/statistikker/bave_statres
TheincreaseinthenumberofchildreninoutofhomecareinNorwayisduetotheincreasingnumberofunaccompaniedminorsandrefugeesmigratingtothecountryinneedofcareandprotection:https://www.udi.no/en/statistics-and-analysis/european-migration-network---norway/emn-studies-and-reports/studies/unaccompanied-minors-in-norway-policies-practices-and-data-in-2014-2014/
Swedenpopulationstatistics:http://www.scb.se/en_/
Swedenchildrenincarestatistics:
https://books.google.com.au/books?id=I_jmDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA76&lpg=PA76&dq=how+many+children+in+sweden+are+in+foster+and+residential+care+in+2014?&source=bl&ots=rL_xKqxsv-&sig=tmq4TYuQVrUFYeqz2aJWJhbRWyE&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjCt5Hmjt_PAhWIKGMKHTvOBFAQ6AEISjAI#v=onepage&q=how%20many%20children%20in%20sweden%20are%20in%20foster%20and%20residential%20care%20in%202014%3F&f=false
TheincreaseinthenumberofchildreninoutofhomecareinSwedenisdueto
theincreasinglargenumberofunaccompaniedminorsandrefugeesmigratingtothecountryinneedofcareandprotection:http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/networks/european_migration_network/reports/docs/country-factsheets/27.sweden_emn_country_factsheet_2013.pdf
ItalyPopulationStatistics:https://www.statista.com/statistics/263745/total-
population-of-italy/
ChildreninOutofHomeCareinItaly:
http://www.redalyc.org/pdf/1798/179829308008.pdf
InquiryIntoChildProtectionLEGISLATIVECOUNCIL
GENERALPURPOSESTANDINGCOMMITTEENO.2
InresponsetoaQuestiononnoticebytheHonTrevorKhanaboutprovidingevidenceofcasesreportedtousofparentsarrivingforaFinalOrdersHearinginCarecourtonlytohavetheMagistratecanceltheHearingandmakeordersbyconsentinfavourofFACSwhentheparentsdonotconsent.Wehaveinvestigatedthereportsandsofarthecommonfactoristhattheparentsareselfrepresented.Theactualfinalorders,whichwehavesighted,donotevenstatetheordersweremadebyconsent.Sotheevidenceatthisstageisonlyanecdotal.Howeverthereportsarefromunrelatedpartiesandarerelativelyrecentinthepastfewmonths.TheonewaytoprovideevidenceistohavetheparentsorderaTranscriptbutthatcostsmoneytheydon’thaveandtakesalongtimeandourpastexperiencewithtranscriptsaretheyarerarelyaccurateinCareCourtcases.Wewillcontinuetomonitorandinvestigateanyfurthersimilarcomplaints.InresponsetoaquestiononNoticebytheChairinrelationtochildrenwhennoharmhasevenoccurredforpossibleriskoffutureharm.Manyofthenewbornremovalcasesprovidedevidencethisforastartasnoharmhasbeendonetothebabybeforeforcedremoval.IpresentbelowthepageIwasreadingfromwhichwasmynotesforgivingevidencethatdaythatincludedasummaryofstatementsmadebyjudgesInoteddownwhilereadingappealcasesinNSWCareandprotectionmatters:Background:ForgottenAustralianNursingCommunityVisitorWorkingwithfamiliesthatarebeingdeniedlegalaidbecauseofNOMeritandwehaveproventhatthecasesdohavemeritandhadchildrenrestored.
WeagreewithHisHonourTimCarmodywhoreiteratedafewdaysagoinlinewithevidencedbestpracticethatsupportedfamilypreservationisthebestbaselineforchildprotection.RatherthenthecurrentriskadverseculturethathasdominatedthiscenturyresultingintheforcedremovalofchildreninhighnumberswhonevershouldhavebeenplacedinOOHC.Butwordsarenotenoughandthatiswhyoursubmissionhasfocusedonvitalindependentaccountabilityandoversightmeasuresandlegislativechangesthatareneededtostoptheongoingfailuresofthechildprotectionsystem.The legislation is purposefully broad and allows for children to be taken for the term of their childhood were there is a perceived risk of harm despite a parent’s conscientious efforts or through no neglect or action on the part of the parent and includes circumstances where no harm has even occurred. From Judgements made in appeal cases in Care and Protection matters. The law itself states at Section 23: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/caypapa1998442/s23.html That a child just has to be deemed at risk which, is done by unregistered child protection workers based on reports that are often not even investigated nor true, that are malicious and vexatious at times, when no harm has ever happened to a child as no evidence is required in the secret care courts. We work primarily with families where their children have not been harmed but still forcibly removed because this legislation is purposely broad and sadly allows for abuse of power by unregistered workers who have no accountability, resulting in the forced removal of children who never should have been taken, that are then abused in care, tearing their families apart and destroying lives forever. We are witnesses to a new generation of stolen and forgotten Australians and forced adoptions from loving families everyday and it has to stop and you have the power to make that happen. AllCarePlansandrequestsfor18yearordersinNSWstate:CommunityServicesrequestparentalresponsibilitytotheMinisterwhichwillprovideasafe,nurturingstableenvironmentandmeettheneedsofthechildwhenweknowthatisnotguaranteedbecauseofthesignificantamountofabuseneglectanddeathsofchildrenincarethatarekeptfromthegeneralpublic.---andatthisstageinproceedingsalongtermplacementhasnotevenbeenfoundforthechild.Yetthecarecourtacceptsthatstatementwithoutquestion.2Submissionsthatmustbereadbyall:Submission56byDrHelenHaywardBrownSubmission103GeorgePotkonyakAlsothesubmissionbyNSWSolicitorGeorgePotkonyakNo27totheFederalSenateInquiryintoOOHClastyearisavitalread:http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/Out_of_home_care/SubmissionsIwillalsoattachhissubmission.
ThisisoneoftheveryfewhardworkingsolicitorsthatdoeslegalaidandprobonoworktohelpfightforfamilieswhohavebeenunjustlytreatedbyFACSNSWandtheCareCourtsandclearlydescribestheinjusticesinthecurrentsystemthatallowschildrentobetakenintocareneedlesslytilltheyare18andjusthownearimpossibleitistoevergetyourchildrenbackevenwhenparentsareinnocent.Sadlythefewsolicitorslikehimaretargetedbecausetoomanypeoplemaketoomuchmoneyfromthechildprotectionindustryandusetheirpowertoprotecttheirincomes.OtherInformationforconsiderationbythecommitteeduringtheInquiryMandatoryRegistrationforallchildprotectionworkers:AlthoughwetouchedonthismatterinourinitialsubmissionIfeelitisimportanttoemphasisehowvitalthisistofrontlineaccountabilityasthereiscurrentlynoindependentaccountabilityavailabletovulnerablechildrenandparentswhenworkersabusetheirpower.AsaRegisteredCriticalCareNurseofover30yearsIhelpedtoconvincetheFederalSenateinquiryintooutofhomecarehowvitalthiswasandtheymadeitarecommendationinAugust2015intheirreport.SadlythatrecommendationandothersimportantonesweresenttoCOAGandhaveyettobeevenconsidered.AsThePrimeMinisterhasstatedChildProtectionwillbeontheAgendaforthenextCOAGmeetinginDecembertheAlliancewillbecontactingallStateandTerritoryLeadersaswellasallFederalPoliticianstotrytobringtheirattentiontothisareaoffailureinAustralianChildprotectionnationwide.Governingbodiesaretheretoprotectthevulnerablepublicfromabuse,exploitationandcrimescommittedagainstthem.ThatiswhyNursesarecontinuallyratedasthemosttrustedprofession.ThatNSWcouldhaveasystemthatreliesonunregisteredcaseworkerswithmorepowerthenanyotherREGISTEREDprofession,yetlessqualifiedthemmostotherprofessionsiscriminalandthereasonfordecadesoffailureandabuseinthechildprotectionIndustry.IfItreatedmypatients,theirfamiliesandsignificantothersthewayIhavewitnessedsomechildprotectionworkerstreatvulnerablechildrenandfamiliesIwouldbedisciplined,losemyregistrationtopracticeandthereformycareerandendupfinedandinjail.Independentaccountabilitydoesnotexistinthesecretchildprotectionindustryandisthecauseofsomuchfailure.Australiaunlikesomanyothercountrieshasfailedtomandateregistrationforchildprotectionworkersandthatisonereasonourforcedremovalratesaresoshamefullyhigh.ItisanationaldisgraceandIimploreyoualltohavethecouragetoimplementfrontlineindependentaccountabilitytoensureminimumstandardsofeducationandtrainingandprofessionalconductbyimplementingMandatoryregistrationforchildprotectionworkers.Itisnotanexpensivemeasure,astheregistrationfeesofworkersfinancetheindependentGoverningbodyovertimebutcrucialtothelivesofvulnerablechildrenandfamiliessotheyhavesomewhereindependentandobjectivetogowiththeirevidencedcomplaintsofabusebychildprotectionworkers.ThepresidentoftheChildren’sCourtgaveevidencethatclearlyindicatestheyarenotobjectiveandbelieveandtrustFACSworkersandwanttheyhavetosay
aboutparents–wedonotbecauseofthethousandsofFACSworkeraffidavitswehavereadandauditedforlegislativecomplianceandIamyettoreadanaAffidavitbyFACSthatdoesnotcontaindefamationofparents,falseallegationsandoutrightliesprovenbyevidenceinthecaseswehaveworkedon.ThePresidentofthechildren’scourtalsostatedwordstotheeffectthatparentsarewelldefendedbygoodLegalAidsolicitors,inourexperienceweareawareofonlyahandfulofLegalAidsolicitorsthatactuallytrytodefendparentsmostjustconsenttowhatFACSwantwithorwithouttheconsentoftheparentsandoftenagainsttheirinstructions.Theydonotspendenoughtimeonthecase,donotreadsubpoenaedevidenceandotherdocumentsanddonotdefendtheirclients.ThereisnothingjustorfairinanywayintheSecretCarecourtswerenorulesofevidenceapply,andIurgeallofyoutogoouttoParramattaCareCourtespeciallyonaTuesdaywhenthenewcasesofremovallistisheardandwitnessforyourselfthetravestyandinhumanitythatunfoldswiththerightsofchildrenandfamiliesdecimatedasthecarecourtrubberstampswhateverFACSaskfor.ThesecretcarecourtsneedtobeabolishedandreplacedwithaFamilyTribunalofprofessionalsandthe30%offundingwastedonadversariallitigationcouldthenbebetterspentonevidencedbestpracticemethodsoffamilypreservationandrestorationmeasuresensuringbetteroutcomesforchildrenandfamiliesforgenerationstocomethatwouldultimatelysavebillionsofdollarsandbeinthebestinterestofchildren,familyandsociety.MandatoryReporting:Mandatoryreportingisactuallykillingchildren,becauseitisliketryingtofindaneedleinahaystackwhenlookingfortheactualchildrenthatreallyneedimmediatelifethreateningintervention.Lessthen30%ofchildrenreportedtobeatriskinNSWareevenchecked.InQLDfollowingtheCarmodyInquiryrecommendationsforMandatoryreportinghasbeenmodifiedsothatmandatedreporterscanrefervulnerablechildrenandfamiliestosupportservicesratherthenmakeareporttochildsafetyunlessthecaseisarealseriesriskofimmediateharmtoachild.InthiswayMandatoryreporterstakeMandatoryActionsothatchildrenandfamiliescangetimmediatesupportandonlytheseverecasesarereportedtochildsafety.NSWneedtourgentlyconsiderthisfarbetterwaytomanagechildrenatrisktosavetheirlives.IthanktheCommitteeforyourtimeandhopethatthisinquirywillactuallyamounttoactionsthatwillmakearealimproveddifferencetothelivesofvulnerablechildrenandfamiliesandimploreallofyouandyourParliamentarycolleaguestohavethecouragetoactassomanyinquiriesbeforehavecontinuedtofailtoactcontinuingthesystemicabuseofourvulnerablechildrenthestatesmostvaluableassets.
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