‘Measure of failure’: $20m inquiry slams Queensland child safety crisis

Queensland’s child safety inquiry has called for sweeping overhauls of what it described as a failing state system, including controversial shifts to adoption practices and state-run out-of-home care.

The $20 million commission of inquiry under Paul Anastassiou, a Crisafulli government election vow, handed its report to government on May 22. Wednesday’s release sparked immediate political attacks.

Tabled in parliament, the report’s executive summary describes the mere fact of the roughly 13,500 children in care in Queensland as of March last year – more than any other state – as a “measure of failure”.

“And yet, despite the best endeavours of all concerned, individually and collectively, the child protection system continues to fail children and the community in serious respects.

“Against this background, this commission regards its overarching duty as being to ascertain, and help overcome, the forces that continue to repel attempts to initiate and entrench reform.”

After 50 hearing days, the inquiry’s almost 1400-page report lays out 52 recommendations, including reform of the $1-billion-a-year residential care system, which was found to be too heavily relied on by the state.

That system, delivered by non-government providers, is used for children who are deemed unable to remain with their parents, other family members, or be adopted.

Within it, the report found roughly two-thirds of reported sexual abuse incidents took place, describing a targeted strategy for girls in out-of-home care as both “necessary and overdue”.

Some of the report’s other recommendations include consideration by the state of becoming a residential care provider, and removing the need for adoption to be a last resort for First Nations children.

The report noted this recommendation comes despite “strong submissions from First Nations stakeholders against adoption”.

Despite submissions raising concerns about structural racism driving the over-representation of First Nations children in the child safety system, the report says the inquiry “has not found evidence” racism was behind decisions to remove children from their families.

Also among the report’s calls are a complete redesign of the Child Safety Department, and a permanent reform office to oversee the recommended changes.

While not a recommendation of the report, Child Safety Minister Amanda Camm told parliament on Wednesday afternoon that she intended to have no children under the age of five in residential care.

Attorney-General Deb Frecklington tabled the report in parliament on Wednesday, with reporters having