A draft report on the Northern Territory’s child protection system by the Productivity Commission has found that the Commonwealth and NT Governments needed to work together better to coordinate funding decisions.
Chair of the Productivity Commission, Michael Brennan said the report recommended that local communities work with regional government staff to decide on the services required.
“Governments are operating in isolation,” Mr Brennan said.
“We saw too many examples where one agency didn’t know what others were doing,” he said.
“The system is so fragmented that Governments can’t know where all relevant services are being delivered and whether they’re having an impact on the lives of children and families. There are overlaps, gaps and duplication in services.”
He said there should be fewer decisions made in Canberra and Darwin.
Mr Brennan said the funding process also needed significant reform, with the report citing one provider who received 11 different grants from the same funding agency to deliver the same type of service.
“Grants are too short and too uncertain,” he said.
“Longer contracts and more certain funding is needed to deliver children and family services in the Northern Territory.”
The Productivity Commission says it has been mindful of the history of abrupt policy changes in this area and has instead sought to build on reform efforts already underway.
The Commission is seeking additional input for its final report, with the closing date for submissions 20 December 2019 with the final report to be published by April 2020.
The 300-page draft report can be accessed via this PS News link.
