Minister for Communities and Families Kate Washington

Kate Washington talks about kids in 'unsuitable' out-of-home care as a minister, and a mum.

Transcript

00:00Thanks so much Zoe. And the report that's being released today is, it's truly heartbreaking

00:08and the children's stories are harrowing. And as the Minister and as a mum, I'm horrified

00:15to hear that there are children in the child protection system who feel like animals being

00:19moved from cage to cage. This, under the former government, the use of hotels and motels for

00:29vulnerable children skyrocketed. We inherited a broken child protection that was spiralling

00:35out of control. So we have been, we've begun the work to repair the system and we are working

00:44in every possible way that we can. But there is a long road to travel and much more to

00:50be done, which is why today I'm announcing that we are establishing an urgent review.

00:58Now our urgent review will be uncovering ways that we can get kids out of hotels, motels

01:06and caravan parks with 24-7 shift workers and into safe and loving homes.