Mr chairman: Good morning. I welcome Mr Vatskalis, and invite you to introduce the officers accompanying you, and if you wish to make an opening statement on behalf of the Department of Health and Families. Minister vatskalis’ portfolios

ESTIMATES COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS – 17 JUNE 2010 
approach to patient care from hospital to community for Indigenous patients treated for preventable 
chronic disease programs targeting diabetes, kidney failure, and hearing loss.
 
 
We have also provided $2.3m to enhance secure services for young people and adults with complex 
care needs; $930 000 to establish a new Territory-wide 24-hour mental health hotline to improve 
response for mental health clients and families; $750 000 to maintain the increased dental services; 
$200 000 to establish the Office of the Public Guardian; and $790 000 for improving services following 
the Disability Services review.
 
 
The Public Health Services outputs show an increase of $649 000 in 2010-11. This modest increase 
is a reflection of the drop in Australian government funding. Again, it is expected that new funding 
agreements will soon be negotiated to continue many of these services. $580 000 will be provided to 
fund additional Environmental Health Worker positions in the Northern Territory.
 
 
I will now be happy to take questions from the committee relating to my current output responsibilities.
 
 
Mr CHAIRMAN: Thank you, minister. Are there any questions to the opening statement?
 
 
Mr WOOD: Clarification on one item. Where does St John Ambulance fit in the categories?
 
 
A Witness: It will be under acute care.
 
 
Ms ANDERSON: Mr Chairman, just a point of clarification as well for the task force. Where do 
questions for the child protection task force fit in for the task force? 
 
 
Mr VATSKALIS: Children’s Services.
 
 
Ms ANDERSON: Okay.
 
Agency Specific (Whole-of-Government Related Questions) Budget and Fiscal Strategies
 
 
Mr CHAIRMAN: In that case, we will move on to agency specific whole-of-government related 
questions, budget and fiscal strategies. Are there any other questions? 
 
 
Members: No.
 
OUTPUT GROUP 1 .0 - NT FAMILIES AND CHILDREN
 
Output 1.1 - Family and Parent Support Services
 
 
Mr CHAIRMAN: We now proceed to Output Group 1.0 NT Families and Children, Output 1.1 Family 
and Parent Support Services.
 
 
Ms CARNEY: I do have questions, but I will not ask them because of time constraints.
 
 
Mr WOOD: Just a quick one. How many family responsibility agreements does the department have 
in place?
 
 
Ms CARNEY: That is Youth Services, I think you will find.
 
Output 1.2 – Child Protection Service
 
 
Mr CHAIRMAN: In that case, we proceed to Output 1.2 Child Protection Services.
 
 
Ms CARNEY: Good morning minister, everyone. It is nice to see some faces again, and some new 
faces as well.
 
 
Minister, you said in Question Time last week that you would provide me with some answers to some 

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ESTIMATES COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS – 17 JUNE 2010 
questions during estimates. After Question Time you gave me a personal assurance that you would 
provide information to me beforehand. Like your predecessor, you have failed to do so. I will ask, 
therefore, the questions again.
 
 
The abject failure of the child protection system to protect a motherless infant at Royal Darwin 
Hospital was the catalyst to the establishment of the child protection inquiry. Can you confirm that the 
infant was placed with a relative despite an active notification and/or investigation by the department 
into the suitability of that individual to care for the other siblings who were in his care?
 
 
Mr VATSKALIS: Member for Araluen, thank you for your question. My administrator will provide the 
information to you. The difficulty I have with this one is how to save the privacy of the family, but I am 
happy to provide some information. This was an issue in 2009 and you are aware that a child was 
placed in a family member’s care due to a federal family court order, not a decision by the 
department, not a cost to Children and Families court order which we cannot breach…But I can say, 
as a result of the injury to the child, an internal departmental review occurred and has resulted in new 
policies and processes to strength communication between the hospital and the Northern Territory 
Family and Children Services, including a child protection position being created within the 
department.
 
 
I understand your interest. I have no problem providing information if I can, if I am allowed, and if I do 
not breach confidentiality. But my administration person for Children’s Services will be providing more 
information on this particular issue.
 
 
Ms GARDINER-BARNES: Clare Gardiner-Barnes, Executive Director, NTFC. I am happy to provide 
information in relation to the department’s progress on implementing recommendations as a result of 
that inquiry if that will assist in responding to the question. 
 
 
Ms CARNEY: You have pre-empted another question. Yes, I would like to have that information, 
however, I would like to comment on something the minister said. 
 
 
You would be aware, minister, if there was a family court order which does not, would not, and did not 
preclude the department either taking information to the family court, or making an application to the 
family matters court in respect of that child - I think it is a nonsense for you, and your predecessor, to 
hide behind the excuse of the child was subject to a family court order. That is, with respect, gutless in 
the extreme. Would you acknowledge it was an error by the department to release that child into the 
care of a person in respect of whom there were active notifications and/or an active investigation?
 
 
Mr VATSKALIS: As I explained to you before, following this incident the department has reviewed 
many policies and established new precedents in order to avoid similar situations in the future. Again, 
and with regard to what I can release and what I cannot release, you know very well, as a lawyer, I 
am bound by the act, and I am happy to give out information I can. The reason it has not been 
provided in writing is because I have explored the opportunities to provide you with a private briefing 
to provide this information.
 
 
Ms CARNEY: You said you would get information to me. I remind you that section 282 of the act 
regarding confidentiality is for the protection of children, not the protection of inept, incompetent 
government ministers. I am disappointed you have breached your assurance to me. You are following 
well and truly in the footsteps of your predecessor. Having said that, I would be very happy to hear 
information about what has happened since this unfortunate incident late last year.
 
 
Ms GARDINER-BARNES: There was a recommendation in relation to the introduction of structured 
decision making, and the department has undergone a range of processes, including engaging an 
external agency to develop training and procedures so we can introduce structured decision making 
from 1 July this year. That will include an intake event structured decision making tool to help with 
consistency of decision making by the intake staff. In addition, NTFC will review its family support 
policy later this year to ensure there are improved responses to families who need additional support 
identified through child protection notifications. 
 

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