Northern Territory News
Care and Protection of Children Act debate closed down
The Territory Opposition says the Henderson Government’s cowardly decision to shut down Parliament ahead of Friday’s no confidence motion will make teenagers less likely to seek professional advice on sexual health, will increase risk of them contracting sexually transmitted diseases and may result in more teenage pregnancies.
“Rather than put the health of young Territorians ahead of its own self interest the Henderson Government has closed down the Parliament just as it was about to fix serious problems with the Care and Protection of Children Act,” says Jodeen Carney, Shadow Minister for Child Protection.
“This highlights just how cynical the Henderson Government’s decision to shut down Parliament actually is.
“The Henderson Government is willing to tolerate the greater risk of teenage girls falling pregnant or contracting sexual diseases to avoid answering questions about the political crisis engulfing it.
“The Henderson Government has been warned time and again by health professionals, legal professionals and Territory families that changes to the Care and Protection of Children Act placed children at greater risk of sexual harm.
“The Henderson Government has been painfully slow to respond to those concerns and has now decided improving the sexual health of young Territorians can again be put on hold.
“Indeed the Henderson Government is trying to put democracy on hold during the lead up to the no confidence motion.
“A Chief Minister confident of his position and performance would have welcomed Parliament sitting this week.
“Parliament provides the Henderson Government with the best forum for defending its performance before Friday’s no confidence motion.
“Only a Government with something to hide would shut down Parliament.”
2009-08-10
