• Latest figures show 80 jobs lost in three months in Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services Department
• Staff cuts come despite crises in child safety and alarming increase in domestic violence
• Palaszczuk Labor Government must explain job cuts in areas meant to protect society’s most vulnerable

More than 80 jobs have gone from Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services according to the latest public sector workforce data. *

Shadow Minister for Communities Ros Bates said in just three months more than 80 roles had been slashed under the Palaszczuk Labor Government.

“As frontline Child Safety officers struggle with abuse investigation backlogs into the thousands and domestic violence continues to rise it is unbelievable that any cuts would be made,” Ms Bates said.

“To make matters worse as staff are being slashed from some Departments, over at the Queensland Family and Child Commission they have enjoyed a 24% staff increase.

“Labor needs to explain why they are slashing jobs on one front, yet building an empire in another area with no frontline role other than producing glossy reports that say they can’t tell us anything.

“We know from leaked October 2016 data that almost 4,000 cases of suspected child abuse across the state are stuck in processing backlogs and thousands of abuse reports aren’t being actioned in time.

“13,057 investigations or 62 per cent of all cases were not started in required timeframes.

“Why weren’t these 80 roles shifted across to help child safety?

“Queenslanders deserve an explanation of these staff cuts.

“A Liberal National Party government will build stronger families and provide safe and liveable communities.”

*https://www.forgov.qld.gov.au/queensland-public-service-workforce-statistics