OPPOSITION MPs who feel frustrated at their inability to force change may look to Ros Bates as a role model.
The Member for Mudgeeraba and Opposition child safety spokeswoman (pictured) refused to be fobbed off over the death of Caboolture toddler Mason Jet Lee. The boy suffered horrific injuries at home four months earlier but had not been taken into care by the Child Safety department.
As government spin doctors tried to shield department failures, Bates demanded answers.
She stood up for kids in strife and won massive improvements. There have been investigations by police, the Department of Child Safety, Queensland Health and a review by the Family Commissioner.
A dozen or so Child Safety officers were referred to the ethical standards unit or stood down.
With Bates’ help we were able to reveal the systemic abuse of Queensland kids who were raped, tortured, starved and murdered.
Bates’ persistence and our reporting forced an overhaul of the child safety system and a pledge in the Budget for an additional $200 million over four years for 421 new child safety staff.
ROS ON GUARD
Courier Mail, Brisbane by Des Houghton 12 Aug 2017