GROSS EXTENT OF KID ABUSE

LNP REVEALS PLAN FOR CHILD SAFETY OVERHAUL

SHOCKING statistics have revealed the scourge of child abuse in North Queensland with more than 100 substantiated cases a month on average. With the Townsville Child Protection Unit dealing with nine potential cases a day and a “perfect storm” of social issues clouding the regional city, the Department of Child Safety statistics have exposed the tragic shame facing North Queensland.

SHOCKING child safety protection figures reveal the grim and dangerous reality for some Townsville families.

A staggering 1474 substantiated cases of harm against children were reported to the Department of Child Safety’s North Queensland region, including Townsville and Cairns, in the 12 months to September 2019.

The Liberal National Party of Queensland revealed a plan this week to overhaul the Department of Child Safety and create the Child Protection Force.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said the plan included a rapid-response team, new police investigators to clear backlogs and an overhaul investigation of high-risk cases.

The plan came after the coroner handed down the findings of one of Queensland’s most shocking child abuse cases in recent years – the death of Mason Jet Lee, 21 months.

In June 2016, Mason’s stepfather, Andrew William O’sullivan, struck the neglected boy so hard that his organs ruptured, then left him to die a slow and painful death over days, refusing to seek help.

The Department of Child Safety data showed 482 families in the north were subject to interventions with parental agreements. Under the LNP’S proposal, these families would be subject to drug testing.

If elected, the LNP plans to introduce compulsory drug testing to combat escalating drug addition and hold parents accountable. Statewide figures show just 39 per cent of the department’s child-abuse investigations were completed within 60 days.

Ms Frecklington said it was time to act to stop vulnerable children from slipping through the cracks.

“The cycle of tragedies, inquiries and failures must end,” she said.

“The LNP’S Child Protection Force would take a hard-line approach to drugs to keep kids safe.

“The cycle of drug use and child abuse must be broken and parents need to break the cycle of addiction to ensure they can care for their kids.

“The LNP’S Child Protection Force will implement random compulsory drug tests for illicit substances like methamphetamine for people on intervention with parental agreements. Under the LNP’S plan, positive tests to certain illicit substances will require participation in a drug rehabilitation service so parents get the support they need to break the addiction.

“A second positive test will lead to children being placed in foster care under a no-second-chances model, because the cycle of drug abuse must be broken.”