Former Labor ministers pressed over delayed child protection scheme

Premier David Crisafulli said only the former Labor ministers could answer the question of why.

“Go out and face the music,” he said.

Child Safety Minister Amanda Camm accused the former ministers of failing in their ministerial responsibilities.

Camm and Frecklington noted an element of the report in which the Child Death Review Board “sought to understand” why public consultation on the scheme was only launched nine days after Griffith’s arrest was announced in August 2023.

“This was in part to address potential cynicism that the [consultation] was released as a direct response to the offender’s case, rather than a matter of good policy development,” the report said.

“The board was keen to understand the relationship between advancements in child safeguarding legislation and critical incidents. Unfortunately, the documentation requested was not provided on the basis that it was cabinet-in-confidence.”

Frecklington told parliament: “What are they covering up?”

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday morning, shadow treasurer Shannon Fentiman – an attorney-general in the former Labor government – defended her government’s actions.

“We began consultation on that very shortly after the recommendations were handed down,” Fentiman said, referring to earlier, more targeted, consultation with peak bodies.

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She said the fact that Griffith was allegedly able to offend in NSW despite that state’s reportable conduct scheme showed “why we need a national approach”.

Labor in turn used question time to grill Treasurer David Janetzki over consulting firm KPMG staff operating from the Workcover office on a new “proactive claims management approach”.

Janetzki was also asked why the promised Queensland Government Consulting Services was not tasked with the work.

He said the office had been set up and the promised “flattening” of consultant and contractor spending growth was under way.