Whoever wins government on Saturday must commit to funding the recommendations of the “Breaking the Silence” report into child abuse in Aboriginal Communities, according to NSW Greens MP Ian Cohen.
“The Iemma Government’s response to this 300 page report is 88 recommendations to be implemented over five years, but not a cent of funding is attached to them,” said Mr Cohen.
“These initiatives are believed to require $20 - $40 million in funding each year. This is a small price to pay to help prevent the abuse and possible death of some of the most vulnerable children in our society.
“A recent newspaper report claimed that three Ministers including Attorney General Bob Debus fought for this funding to be made available.
“Treasurer Michael Costa chose to ignore this request whilst simultaneously handing over $25 million to the operators of the Lane Cove Tunnel to prevent road closures in the lead up to the election.
“Michael Costa clearly views the short term political needs of the Iemma government as being more important than those of abused and dying children.
“The Attorney General commissioned the taskforce that wrote the report. It found levels of abuse up to four times the national average. Taskforce chair Marcia Ella Duncan claimed it painted a stark picture of intergenerational abuse and social disadvantage.
“Peter Debnam must also outline what funding a Coalition government would allocate to implementing the report’s recommendations.
“This hard hearted response has the grubby fingerprints of Michael Costa all over it. Attorney General Bob Debus, whose presence will be missed, could leave NSW politics on a positive note by convincing Morris Iemma to overrule his treasurer and fund these vital recommendations,” said Mr Cohen.
Further Information: Michael Hidden 0431 320085 or Ian Cohen 0409 989 466
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