A shocking revelation has emerged in Queensland, where a critical IT system failure has potentially put thousands of children at risk. The Child Safety Minister, Amanda Camm, has made a startling admission, claiming she was unaware of the reduced scope of the $183 million Unify system before it went live.
The LNP government's independent audit, conducted by Deloitte, uncovered significant gaps in the system, making it challenging for workers to access vital data. This included information about family roles and identifying those responsible for potential harm.
But here's where it gets controversial: in late 2023, several key features were removed from the system's scope, including the ability to monitor individual support plans. Minister Camm claims she was not informed about these critical issues before the system's launch in April.
"I was given assurances that the system was ready for delivery," Ms Camm stated, adding, "The findings of this report are damning."
Unify users have reported frustrating experiences, with unexpected shutdowns and lost data. One user described spending an hour on a detailed assessment, only for the data to disappear. The system's search function also required exact name spellings, and address searches were not an option.
"Time is of the essence when assessing risk," Ms Camm emphasized, acknowledging an increased risk during this period.
The government has announced a remedial plan, promising to publish operational data within a month and stabilize the system within six months. However, the Labor opposition has accused the minister of shifting blame onto her department officials.
"It's unbelievable that this minister didn't know about the failure of a system meant to protect children," said Shadow Attorney-General Meaghan Scanlon.
Documents obtained by the opposition show that Director-General Belinda Drew had referenced issues with Unify in an email to another executive, highlighting an approval rating of just 1.79/10 and inadequate training. The email was sent just days before a meeting between Ms Drew and Ms Camm.
Minister Camm has defended Ms Drew, stating that an internal audit was conducted and that Ms Drew retains her position.
This scandal raises questions about accountability and the priority given to child safety in Queensland. Are the government's promises of reform enough to restore trust? And what does this mean for the future of child protection systems in the state?
Join the discussion: do you think the minister should take more responsibility, or is this an issue of systemic failure? We want to hear your thoughts in the comments!
