Human Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma has dodged calls for her resignation and deflected criticism over comments she made about the media’s role in the removal of children from residential care provider Safe Pathways.
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On Friday, Ms Petrusma confirmed that 11 children in the care of the for-profit provider will be removed. She also made comments implicating the media in the decision.
“The intense media attention that these children have experienced over the last few weeks has actually caused these children a high level of distress,” Ms Petrusma said.
The controversy has plagued her since allegations surfaced last month that Safe Pathways was failing to adequately support children despite charging the government thousands per child each year.
Shadow Minister for Child Safety Josh Willie said placing responsibility for the removal of children with the media was “absurd.” He called on Premier Will Hodgman to sack Ms Petrusma or demand her resignation. Responding to Mr Willie on Sunday, Ms Petrusma said she was not laying blame with journalists.
“The simple fact is that because of the media focus on Safe Pathways and the distress it was causing the children, it was appropriate to make alternative arrangements for the children in Safe Pathways care,” she said.
She did not respond to the call for her resignation. An investigation into Safe Pathways is ongoing.
