Labor’s cost excuse doesn’t add up
Labor’s justification for scrapping South Australia’s Social Worker Registration Scheme has been thrown into more doubt, after the Premier and his Child Protection Minister provided vastly different estimates of the scheme’s annual registration fee.
According to The Advertiser, Premier Peter Malinauskas claimed the annual fee could have been “up to over $1,000” when questioned by media yesterday morning.
However, Child Protection Minister Alice Rolls later said the fee would likely have been between $400 and $500, leaving South Australians with two very different figures.
Shadow Minister for Child Protection Laura Henderson said Labor had repeatedly relied on the cost of registration as its justification for abandoning the nation-leading reform.
“If the Government’s main reason for scrapping this scheme was the cost of registration, South Australians deserve to know which figure it actually relied upon,” Mrs Henderson said.
“The Premier says the fee could have been more than $1,000. His own Child Protection Minister says it would likely have been between $400 and $500. Both cannot be right.
“The Government owes social workers, stakeholders and Chloe Valentine’s family an explanation for these vastly different estimates.
“This reform was recommended following the coronial inquest into Chloe Valentine’s tragic death and was designed to strengthen professional standards and better protect vulnerable children.”
Shadow Attorney-General Josh Teague said the conflicting cost estimates had further undermined confidence in the Government’s decision.
“Labor has consistently argued the scheme was too expensive for social workers, yet the Premier and his Minister can’t even agree on what the annual registration fee would have been,” Mr Teague said.
“The Premier should release the advice and modelling underpinning these cost estimates and explain why they differ so significantly.”
Background:
Audio and video highlighting the differing cost estimates from the Premier and Child Protection Minister can be accessed here.
A petition calling on the Government to reverse its decision to scrap the Social Worker Registration Scheme can be signed here.
The following is a quote from then Child Protection Minister Katrine Hildyard in April 2024:
“I am proud that South Australia is the first jurisdiction to progress its Social Worker Registration Scheme which will bring well-deserved benefits, respect and support to the social work profession.”
While State and Federal Labor Governments bicker over the bungled response to the toxic algal bloom, communities and industries continue to suffer.
The sluggish response continued today with the Premier revealing that he’s only recently made an appeal for algal bloom funding support “in the last couple of days”, while a visit from the Federal Minister for Environment is unlikely to bring any good news for those impacted.
Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Josh Teague said the Premier is clearly out of his depth as his Ministers scramble to address the issue.
“Labor has bungled the algal bloom response from the outset, with total confusion and zero coordination with its federal counterparts on the relief industries and communities urgently need,” Mr Teague said.
“Despite the scale of this crisis, we’ve seen an unacceptable lack of urgency from both State and Federal Governments.
“The Premier even tried to distract the media with a press conference on an entirely different topic today, rather than tackling the matter head on.
“We’re pleased to see Murray Watt take our advice to get off his arse and come to South Australia, but he shouldn’t be shamed into visiting a natural disaster.”
Shadow Minister for Environment, David Basham added that the belated visit is a slap in the face for the communities and industries who’ve been dealing with the toxic algal bloom for months.
“I’m deeply concerned and frustrated by the environmental disaster unfolding along our coastline, particularly in my local electorate,” Mr Basham said.
“This isn’t just an eyesore, it’s a serious ecological threat, harming marine life, impacting local tourism, and jeopardising the livelihoods of those who rely on our waters.
“This needs to be seen for the disaster that it is, and for meaningful support to be delivered yesterday, not once the Federal Minister deigns to visit.”
The State Liberal party is calling for:
- A Royal Commission to examine the potential causes, solutions and recommendations for managing future events.
- Clear, transparent communication with local residents and stakeholders.
- Immediate emergency funding for businesses impacted by the algal bloom, including hospitality, tourism and fisheries.
- Immediate emergency funding for councils to manage environmental response and cleanup.
- The Federal Government to declare a natural disaster.
The Government owes social workers, stakeholders and Chloe Valentine's family an explanation for these vastly different estimates.
