NSW, AUSTRALIA
NSW Minister for Families and Communities, Kate Washington (pictured), has travelled to New Zealand this morning to meet with senior child protection officials and other stakeholders, as part of the Government’s continuing efforts to reform the state’s child protection and out-of-home care (OOHC) systems.
In a statement, the NSW Government said New Zealand’s child protection system had undergone significant reform and transformation since 2017, focussed on more effective and efficient early intervention supports, and building Māori service provider capacity within their service system. The New Zealand reform journey – including its successes and stumbles – offers unique insights into the challenging road ahead for NSW, it stated.
Across her four-day visit, Minister Washington, is scheduled to visit Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, and Dunedin. She will meet with NZ’s Minister for Children, as well as the Independent Children’s Monitor, the Chief Social Worker, the Principal Youth Court Judge, and various child protection stakeholders and service providers, including Maori services.
Oranga Tamariki – New Zealand’s Ministry for Children will host the Minister’s official visit.
While Minister Washington is overseas, the NSW Attorney General will act as the Minister for Families and Communities, and Minister for Disability Inclusion.
