Consideration of Auditor-General Report 1: 2020-21—Family support and child protection system

Overview

Role of the Auditor-General

The role of the Auditor-General is to provide Parliament with independent assurance of public sector accountability and performance. This is achieved through reporting to Parliament on the results of its financial and performance audits.

About the Auditor-General Report

View:Auditor-General Report 1: 2020-21—Family support and child protection system

The Auditor-General Report 1: 2020-21 – Family support and child protection system (the Report) was tabled on 4 August 2020.

The Report assesses how effectively Queensland public sector entities work together for the safety and wellbeing of Queensland children. The Queensland Audit Office audited six public sector entities responsible for delivering family support and child protection services to determine whether:

  • Queensland’s family support and child protection system is managed to ensure efficient and effective coordination across agencies
  • Queensland government agencies share responsibility for the continuous improvement of the family support and child protection system.

The report made 9 recommendations related to family support services data and reporting; reporting alleged harm or risk of harm; responding to alleged harm or risk of harm; out-of-home care; and system governance.

Committee inquiry

The Report was referred to the former Health, Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Committee in the 56th Parliament.

On 22 February 2021, the committee resolved to undertake an inquiry into the Report.

The committee is responsible under section 94 of the Parliament of Queensland Act 2001 for assessing the integrity, economy, efficiency and effectiveness of government financial management by examining government financial documents and considering reports of the Auditor-General.

On 14 July 2022, the committee wrote to relevant departments to follow up on the implementation of the Auditor-General’s recommendations in accordance with commitments for implementation.

On 24 May 2023, the committee wrote to the Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services requesting an update on progress toward the implementation of remaining outstanding Auditor-General’s recommendations.

On 12 June 2023, the committee received a public briefing on the progress of implementation from department representatives. 

The committee considered the relevant government departments’ progress in response to Report 1: 2020-21’s recommendations and determined to take no further action in relation to the report.

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