Child Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2020

As Minister, introduced and moved the bill to enhance permanency options for children in care, implementing Deputy State Coroner's recommendation following the death of Mason Jett Lee.

“This bill aims to continue that work... The bill proposes to enhance the approach to permanency under the Child Protection Act and clarify that adoption is an option to be considered as part of a suite of long-term options available.”— 2021-03-23View Hansard

As Shadow Minister, criticised the government's child protection record but confirmed the LNP would not oppose the bill as it provides clarity and enhances permanency options for children.

“Given that the goal is to provide clarity and enhance options in the approach to permanency for children and in the interests of children, the LNP will not be opposing the bill.”— 2021-03-23View Hansard

As Committee Chair, defended the child protection system and the 3,000 workers, highlighting the Palaszczuk government's unprecedented investment since 2015.

“I know that our children are safer today than they were under an LNP government. I commend the bill to the House.”— 2021-03-23View Hansard

Supported the legislation as a good first step toward reform, noting that the hierarchy of care options is clearer and that only six children had been adopted in five years.

“Implementing adoption as an option for achieving permanency for children in care is only the first step in a long process that needs to be undertaken to reform a system that needs our legislative support.”— 2021-03-23View Hansard

Drawing on experience as a former child support worker, supported the bill as providing necessary permanency for vulnerable children while protecting cultural rights of Torres Strait Islander children.

“This bill will make a difference. Kids deserve the best. We all need to do what we can to protect the interests of children in Queensland.”— 2021-03-23View Hansard

Commended the change to formally shift adoption up the order of priority, noting carers in his electorate have long wanted to adopt children in their care but found the process impractical.

“I think it is a good move for adoption to be formally shifted up the order of priority as it relates to children in the care of the state of Queensland.”— 2021-03-23View Hansard

As former Minister for Child Safety, strongly supported the bill as continuing the permanency reforms she introduced in 2018, praising departmental staff for their dedication.

“The safety, wellbeing and best interests of the child, both throughout childhood and for the rest of their life, are our paramount considerations.”— 2021-03-23View Hansard

Opposed the bill, arguing it prioritises adoption over supporting biological families, ignores advocacy organisations' concerns, and introduces an arbitrary two-year timeframe without addressing systemic issues.

“The commission does not support the amendments overall. That is clear. The commission's submission concluded by expressing the view that the amendments are not based on evidence that they will achieve the stated purpose.”— 2021-03-23View Hansard

Supported the bill as important legislation to safeguard vulnerable children, noting the bill does not force adoption but requires the chief executive to review cases after two years.

“The bill does not require that adoption be considered or expedited after two years... The bill requires the chief executive to review the case after two years and consider whether there is a better way of achieving permanency.”— 2021-03-23View Hansard

Welcomed the bill while criticising the delay in acting on Carmody inquiry recommendations, emphasising children's fundamental need for attachment and stable caregiving.

“In order to develop normally, children need to attach to at least one primary caregiver... if the biological parents cannot provide it we should be seeking to provide an alternative through adoption.”— 2021-03-23View Hansard

Supported the bill as responding to the Deputy State Coroner's findings, emphasising the importance of permanency while acknowledging the complexity of these issues for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

“We must be vigilant in the ongoing monitoring of these case plans to ensure the best possible future trajectory for these children.”— 2021-03-23View Hansard

As former Assistant Minister for Child Safety, supported the bill while expressing reservations about the hierarchy of principles, noting that 75 per cent of households have multiple risk factors.

“While I have some reservations around the hierarchy of principles that the bill is seeking to impose, I am certainly pleased that we are at least making some steps forward to develop legislation that will provide for more adoptions.”— 2021-03-23View Hansard

Supported the bill while emphasising the need for caution around adoption, citing the stolen generations and warning against coerced adoptions, and praising the meriba omasker kaziw kazipa bill reforms.

“With regard to adoption, caution is always needed. We need to be very careful to avoid breaking any links between birth parents and their child.”— 2021-03-23View Hansard

As former committee member, supported the bill while defending the LNP's right to criticise the system, arguing that calling it 'broken' reflects on government responsibility, not frontline workers.

“The government is responsible. I cannot see a single minister on the other side of the House who would look me in the eye and say, 'The buck does not stop with me.'”— 2021-03-23View Hansard

Drawing on police experience with child abuse victims, supported the bill but criticised the government for not taking ultimate responsibility for system failures following Mason Jett Lee's death.

“Should this bill be passed? Yes but in the absence of anything else before us. I commend the bill to the House.”— 2021-03-23View Hansard

Supported the bill and praised the bipartisan approach, noting the Premier's invitation for opposition cooperation on child safety and expressing hope for continued constructive engagement.

“I am heartened that the opposition have said they will support this bill—hopefully without amendment. It is to their credit that there can be bipartisanship on such an important issue.”— 2021-03-23View Hansard

As Shadow Assistant Minister, supported the bill for giving vulnerable children legal stability, noting only six adoptions in five years and calling for a complete system overhaul.

“I support the passing of this bill because all of our children deserve the very best opportunity to grow up happy and to grow up healthy in a permanent environment which they can call home.”— 2021-03-23View Hansard

Supported the bill as a symbol of hope for vulnerable children, emphasising children's need to feel safe and calling for all parliamentarians to make a stand for children's protection.

“I will not be opposing this bill and I hope that this bill is a symbol of hope for those children who most desperately need it.”— 2021-03-23View Hansard

Drawing on personal experience as a teacher dealing with abused children, supported the bill as delivering on the Deputy State Coroner's recommendation and enhancing permanency outcomes.

“I want all of those children whom I have taught in the past and with whom I have shared this experience to know that I still see your face and remember your story while I support the Child Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2020.”— 2021-03-23View Hansard

Opposed the bill, arguing it diverts attention from early intervention and family support, criticising the two-year timeframe as insufficient for families with complex needs to achieve reunification.

“For these reasons, the Greens will not be supporting this bill.”— 2021-03-23View Hansard

As former police officer in charge, supported the bill while criticising the government's record, hoping the new minister and shadow minister would make progress through bipartisanship.

“From the outset, I will be joining my colleagues in the LNP in not opposing this bill.”— 2021-03-23View Hansard