Child safety system ‘broken’, Camm admits, revealing rising number of kids in care

The AgeIndependentCenter3 hr. ago

Queensland's Child Safety Minister, Amanda Camm, has acknowledged that the number of children in state care has increased, with 2819 children in residential care as of March 2026, up from 2258 the previous year. This includes a significant rise in children under five, from 78 to 107. Camm faced criticism over allegations that department staff left children sleeping on office floors, though she explained her delayed response by citing health issues. The government has responded to a $20 million inquiry into the child safety system, accepting 32 of 52 recommendations and pledging reforms, although falling short of the comprehensive overhaul recommended by the inquiry's commissioner, Paul Anastassiou. The report highlighted systemic failures, including reports of sexual assault and the need for targeted strategies for girls in care. The government plans to remove unlicensed providers from the system and abandon the 'adoption as a last response' policy for First Nations children, despite stakeholder concerns.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual data and quotes from both the minister and the inquiry commissioner, providing balanced perspectives on the situation without overtly favoring one side. It does not use loaded language or selectively omit information to push a particular viewpoint.

The Sydney Morning HeraldIndependentCenter3 hr. ago

Queensland's Child Safety Minister, Amanda Camm, acknowledged that the child safety system is 'broken' and admitted that the number of children in state care has increased, particularly among those under five. Data shows 2819 children were in residential care as of March 2026, up from 2258 in the previous year, with over 1000 children under child protection orders. Camm addressed claims that department staff had left children sleeping on office floors, attributing her silence to a migraine. She also discussed the failed rollout of the new child safety IT system, Unify. The government accepted most of the recommendations from a $20 million inquiry led by Commissioner Paul Anastassiou, who criticized the system as a 'measure of failure.' While some reforms are underway, such as removing unlicensed providers and addressing sexual assault reports, the government has resisted calls to maintain the 'adoption as a last response' principle for First Nations children.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced account of the government's acknowledgment of systemic failures and its partial acceptance of recommendations from an independent inquiry. It includes both criticism of the system and the government's commitment to reform, without overtly favoring either side. The use