McCarthy urged to solve youth, abuse problems in NT
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The head of the Northern Territory Council of Social Service says the new Child Protection Minister needs to come up with policies that address the root cause of abuse and youth problems in the Territory.
Malandirri McCarthy has been appointed as the new Minister for Children and Families and Child Protection.
Barry Hansen says the Government and Opposition have been too obsessed with law and order-type answers to problems and it has not worked.
"People have been talking about getting tough on youth crime for the last 20 years or more here in the Territory, so it can't be the same youth," he said.
"We have to look at why there are recurring generations of teenage youth that are causing problems."
Meanwhile, Foster Care Northern Territory says it hopes Ms McCarthy will be able give regional carers more support and recognition from the Government.
Foster Care NT's president Anita O'Callaghan says having a regional MLA in charge should be good for bush carers and children.
"We're hoping that in the out-of-home care area in the child protection area that there will be a lot of consideration given to the ways that the Department supports and validates the carers that it does have and also that things like access to training aren't put on the back burner," she said.
"[We hope] that carers are given ample opportunity to access quality training."
