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We’ll make sure that under a Coalition Government the independent broad-based anti-corruption commission we have in this state is genuine, and that it’s not a catch-up, or a patch-up, or a cover-up. 
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  • Victoria’s community services are in crisis after a decade of failed management, poor service delivery and lack of planning for the future.
    Our community services are responsible for the protection and support of some of Victoria’s most vulnerable residents, including abused and neglected children and people with disabilities and their carers.

    This Labor Government has consistently failed in its duty of care and Victorians across the state face never-ending waiting lists and delays on the delivery of critical infrastructure and support services.

    Parliamentary inquiries, the Ombudsman, the Auditor-General and other government watchdogs have inquired into key areas of community services and found the government wanting.

    Far too often children requiring protection by the state are ignored by a child protection system that is overstretched and under-resourced. The government is unable to even fulfil its basic legal responsibilities to many young people who have been abused and are now in state care.

    Young people in out-of-home care are unable to be appropriately placed, or they are repeatedly moved which causes frequent re-traumatisation. Their school attendance is abysmally low and they are significantly more likely to end up homeless or in the criminal justice system.

    Adult children with disabilities who have ageing parents languish on waiting lists due to a lack of supported accommodation. They are also unable to access respite care for even a short term break. This results in unnecessary stress and hardship for both the individuals and their struggling families.

    When he became Premier John Brumby said he would govern for all Victorians, but in government he has turned his back on those who most need his help.

  • Seven Victorian child deaths 'preventable'
    30 July 2010

    THE deaths last year of 26 children known to Victoria's child protection authorities has highlighted staff shortages, inadequate training and poor assessment practices, a report has found.

    The annual report by the Child Death Review Committee on deaths of children known to be in protection last year was tabled in Parliament yesterday. It is the third report in a year to be critical of Victoria's child welfare agencies.

    … Opposition community services spokeswoman Mary Wooldridge said a Coalition government would set up a judicial inquiry to understand the complexity of child welfare. It would also appoint an independent children's commissioner.

    read more

  • Claim minister broker pedophile promise
    11 July 2010

    THE Government's promise to double the security on intellectually-disabled pedophiles when they go out into the community has not been delivered.

    Eight months after Community Services Minister Lisa Neville pledged to improve public safety by requiring two staff to accompany the pedophiles when they went out on community leave, the Government confirmed that the policy had failed.

    read more

  • Children in care suffer education, health crisis
    01 July 2010

    CHILDREN in foster care drop out of school and repeat grades at an alarming rate, a report has found.

    The Anglicare Victoria and Wesley Mission Victoria study showed children in foster, kinship and residential care were more likely to have emotional and behavioural problems that affect schooling.

    … Opposition community services spokeswoman Mary Wooldridge said the report was a poor reflection on the State Government. "Abused children continue to suffer while in John Brumby's care," Ms Wooldridge said.

    read more

    • more recent community services news


  • 12 JULY 2010 – Channel 10 News
    Five years after the Labor Government promised to introduce a “smart” ticketing system, myki is being slammed as the government's white elephant, with more than $1 billion of taxpayers’ money spent on a system that still does not work.
  • 23 JUNE 2010 – Channel 7 News
    The Auditor-General has uncovered $3 billion in secret government deals with a third of major contracts, including public transport deals, hidden from the public. Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu says John Brumby is running a secret state.
  • 14 JUNE 2010 – Channel 9 News
    John Brumby has spent over $1.2 million of taxpayers' money monitoring the media and analysing transcripts of every story broadcast or written about his government. This is on top of the cost of employing 26 media advisers.