PSA TAKES CHILD PROTECTION CONCERNS TO CANBERRA | Public Sector Review | August 2023

A delegation of PSA elected officials and Worksite Representatives visited Canberra in June as part of a national push by the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) / SPSF Group to highlight issues affecting the child protection sector.

The PSA is a branch of the CPSU/SPSF Group.

PSA General Secretary Natasha Brown and PSA President Lillia Rozaklis, along with Department for Child Protection Worksite Representatives David and John, used the opportunity to meet with Ministers and staffers about the crisis in care and staffing.

Key among their messages were the urgent need for action on recruitment and retention of child protection workers, and the need for a national workforce plan.

While much of the responsibility for child protection is at the State Government level, the Federal Government also has an important role to play in contributing to a sustainable solution,

said PSA General Secretary Natasha Brown.

“The PSA has been raising issues surrounding under-resourcing, workload, recruitment and retention in the Department for Child Protection for years. It is important for members’ voices to be heard in the halls and offices of Parliament House in Canberra.”

The PSA will continue to advocate across all levels of government for appropriate resourcing and improved working conditions for our members in child protection.