Department reviews after child’smurder

Children’sminister Kelvin Davis expects a review of all Government departmentswhich could have intervened before the murder of 5-year-old Malachi Subecz. Davis said the details for the wider review, includingwho would lead it, would not be finalised for ‘‘a few’’ weeks. In the meantime, a separate review at Oranga Tamariki is also working to finalise its terms of reference before it begins. The wider ‘‘system review’’ is expected to include police, Oranga Tamariki, Corrections and possibly the courts and education. Malachi died in November 2021, following prolonged and horrific abuse at the hands of his caregiver. Michaela Barriballwas appointed as his caregiver on September 13, according to the court’s summary of facts. She had temporary care of Subecz after his motherwas imprisoned in late June. Following Barriball’s guilty plea, Davis said he would ‘‘get to the bottom’’ of what could have prevented Malachi’s death.