Frontline child safety and youth justice workers in northern Tasmania will continue their statewide industrial action today, with a one-hour stop work to protest the government’s inadequate response to the ongoing staffing crisis. Workers are expressing deep concern over what they describe as a "quick fix" approach that fails to address the root issues.
In the wake of the recent tragic death of a child in the northwest – believed to be linked to an unactioned case due to staff shortages – Children and Youth Minister Roger Jaensch introduced an emergency workforce plan. This plan includes two $5,000 payments and a 15% market allowance, but only for Child Safety Officers, Allied Health Professionals in the Advice and Referral Line, and Youth Justice roles in the north west. Critically, this plan excludes child safety support workers, youth workers, youth justice workers, unit coordinators, and other essential frontline staff who play a crucial role in protecting vulnerable children and families daily.
Workers are warning that the government’s fragmented approach, and the failure to implement a comprehensive market allowance for all frontline child safety workers, is grossly insufficient. They argue that this strategy fails to ensure efficient service operation and neglects the broader recruitment and retention issues plaguing the sector statewide.
HACSU Industrial Manager Lucas Digney stated, “The government is attempting to patch up a deep-seated problem by throwing money at it in a bid to deflect political criticism following a tragic loss of life. But these stopgap measures won’t resolve the severe staffing shortages that put Tasmanian children and young people at risk. Without adequate staffing, more tragedies are inevitable.”
The government’s emergency workforce plan not only falls short but also risks the safety of those it is meant to protect. Child Safety Services and Youth Justice workers across the state are demanding immediate, comprehensive, and meaningful solutions to address the staffing crisis.