|
The Bligh government was failing to support suicidal children with proper intervention services, the LNP said today.
LNP Member for Lockyer, Ian Rickuss said government figures showed 351 youths were on the government’s ‘active suicide risk alert’ - but the alert did nothing.
Mr Rickuss said the Bligh government’s suicide alert was a joke, because it did not require Child Safety officers to refer any child to intervention or counseling services.
“The Bligh Labor Government’s commitment to helping suicidal children must be questioned considering that of the 15 youth suicides in Queensland in 2008-09, all but three were known to Child Safety Services,” Mr Rickuss said.
“Equally disturbing is the fact the number of children known to the Department who have suicided has increased sharply from four in 2006-07 and seven in 2007-08 to 12 young people in 2008-09.
“The Queensland Child Death Case Review Committee reviewed 236 deaths of children known to the Child Safety between 2004 and 2009, including 24 youth suicides — half of those suicides occurred in 2008-09.
“These children are supposed to be under the protection of the Government — the Minister must ensure that they are in appropriate care with proper access to the support and counseling they require.”
“Unfortunately, suicide affects far too many Australians each year with the devastating impact felt by family members, in the workplace, school and the community as a whole”.
18 December 2009
|
A local supporting you with honesty and accountability
