Qld: Cabinet review committee to look at foster care

AAP General News (Australia)
12-16-2003
Qld: Cabinet review committee to look at foster care

Queensland's cabinet budget review committee will today examine a response to a call
for a royal commission into child abuse in Queensland's foster care system.

An audit report released yesterday found allegations of physical and sexual abuse against
98 children were not properly investigated by government officers.

The state government ordered the audit of the Families Department in June after media
reports about abuse in a foster home north of Brisbane.

Child protection expert GWENN MURRAY's audit of 1,060 child protection notifications,
relating to 1,258 children, found only one in seven was adequately handled.

She says that the system has been stressed by under-resourcing, outdated case management
systems and a lack of quality placement options.

The coalition and child advocacy groups have called for the royal commission.

Premier PETER BEATTIE has admitted the report is an indictment on his government, but
says he's committed to fixing problems in the system.

AAP RTV jfs/rcg/jas

KEYWORD: FOSTER (BRISBANE)

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