Govt must listen to child sector experts on Oranga Tamariki oversight

The Green Party is calling on the Government to withdraw the proposed Oranga Tamariki oversight legislation which strips away independence and fails to put children at the heart.

“Speaking to Radio New Zealand earlier this morning, Minister Sepuloni appeared to misunderstand the opposition to the new system. She suggests the intent of the Bill wasn’t clear and people have misunderstood. This is not correct. We heard the submissions and advocates understand what is planned,” says Jan Logie, Green spokesperson for children.

“Opposition rests on the removal of powers from the Children’s Commissioner, the fragmentation of the child protection oversight as well as the failure to engage Māori, affected young people or wait for the Royal Commission to report back.

“The Minister needs to consider how children might negotiate this confusing new system, and what will give children confidence in their rights, rather than what looks good to her as a Minister.

“At the time when we have the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State Care hearing decades of evidence that the state failed in its duty of care, taking away independent monitoring powers from the Children’s Commissioner and putting them inside a government agency is hugely concerning.

“We have opposed this legislation from the start because we need a truly independent monitor of our so-called child protection system, empowered to speak up for children when necessary. The current proposal does not stack up.

“Thirty-four agencies representing the children’s sector, including VOYCE Whakarongo Mai which represents care-experienced young people, have overwhelmingly called for the bill to be stopped.

“We know the state care system is causing harm; there are stacks of reports from decades of advocacy saying so.

“When you have this many advocates telling you to stop, the failure to listen ‘speaks volumes’, as current Commissioner Judge Eivers has said.”

ENDS

Latest Children Announcements

Story

Govt undermines OT frontline services, breaks pledge

The Minister for Children Karen Chhour’s pledge that cuts to Oranga Tamariki would not impact frontline services has been broken.
Read More

Story

Govt must listen to experiences of abuse survivors

The Government must do all it can to bring abuse in care to an end following the release of the independent inquiry. 
Read More

Story

Government ignorant of evidence in neglect of tamariki

Today’s justification from the Minister for Children for scrapping protections for our tamariki was either a case of ignorance or deliberate decept...
Read More

Story

Time to get serious on delivering for families

The Green Party calls on the Government to get serious about supporting families.
Read More

Story

Greens welcome paid parental leave increase, urge Govt to go further

The Green Party is today welcoming the increase in paid parental leave payments, but is urging the Government to continue supporting families when ...
Read More

Story

National would make life harder for people

Christopher Luxon and the National Party are not telling the full story when it comes to childcare, the Green Party says.
Read More