Child Safety Commissioner Granted Stronger Powers
Source: Victoria. Minister for Community Services. Media Release
"Victoria’s Child Safety Commissioner Bernie Geary will be given stronger powers to review cases involving child protection clients under new legislation to be introduced by the Brumby Labor Government this week. Minister for Community Services Lisa Neville said the amendments to the Children Youth and Families Act (2005) and the Child Wellbeing Act (2005) would bolster the Commissioner’s existing powers and increase the flexibility, transparency and accountability of the child protection system.“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to stand up and support vulnerable children with new legislation to be debated in Parliament tomorrow to ensure the Commissioner can review any case involving a child known to child protection, whether it is a death or an assault,’’ Ms Neville said. The legislative overhaul will also give the Commissioner power to review cases where a child has died within 12 months of leaving the child protection system."