The Why Behind the Petition - We need your help to sign the Legislative Council petition (Link at the end of the description)

In 2023, 96 children died in care of or known by the Minister. 

These children were in need of care and protection by the state and were placed in care to be “protected” by Minister Kate Washington. Referenced by the phrase “In care of the Minister” or known to DCJ but not provided the protection required. 

Substantial evidence has been provided to Minister Kate Washington with respect to institutional abuse towards children in out of home care and a range of behaviourally and financially corrupt behaviours engaged with by the Department and NGO’s. 

Matters ranging from historical to current matters have been met by Kate and her Department with:

• No response.
• One of five platitudes used by the Department in order to deflect from the issue or silence the matter.
• An Apology after years of system’s abuse with no compensation for the impacted party or accountability for those involved with the abuse. 

One of the matters raised with Kate this year resulted in the death of a young person in OOHC in the Western region. We are aware of three deaths in that region within three months just this year. 

Corruption

As a demonstration of the behaviourally corrupt, abusive and toxic system that the Minister continues to support is seen in the System Review composed by Lauren Dean and Gilena Talbot. A review document supported by Minister Washington with only chosen parties to speak to the review team. This review conveniently left out the 96 children that lost their lives in 2023. The review team run by Paul O’Reilly and Stuart Malcher has been evidenced to shut down matters and continually provide “not substantiated” letters to concerned parties. Ignoring child protection matters that urgently require action.

A further demonstration is the removal of the Children’s Guardian Steve Kinmond. A public servant actively looking into the abuse occurring under Washington’s watch as a result of myself and many other raising concerns. A move that Washington achieved by deceiving the parliament as to the reason for the bill change and doing this at a time the Governor was on leave. The response to criticism was to publicise fictitious media alleging the Children’s Guardian engaged in misconduct however did not offer the affected parties a right of reply. The former Children’s Guardian’s response suppressed. 

Who is Impacted and Still at Risk if Nothing Changes

I am aware of cases that are current that involve:

• Children being abused in out of home care placements across NSW. DCJ and the Minister are aware of these matters.
• A case worker who recommended a sex toy to a a carer of a child under the age of 10. 
• A failing an abusive Sherwood Program with little to no oversight where mal staff are watching teenage females shower and undress.
• Young people being abused and held against their will in ITC, T/Sil and temporary residential arrangements that end up being long term care.
• YP not receiving Victim Services payment as a result of DCJ’s failure to complete administration around these areas. 
• Children and young people recieving no support, medical, developmental or therapeutic care.
• Birth families and carer’s subjected to false allegations constructed by NGO’s and DCJ. 
• Aboriginal people still being subjected to continued systems abuse by this current government. Some who have previously received apology letters from Kate Washington. 
• In some cases up to three generations who have been in the system with no way out. 
• DCJ and NGO staff given preferential treatment for adoption and guardianship orders. Some of children they have been part of removing from families. 
• Systemic breaches of privacy and confidentiality not reported to the privacy commission. Some resulting in loss of employment for parties who have had their confidentiality breached in addition to the fictitious, biased and factually incorrect information shared. 
• Zero accountability for those who conduct fraud, breach confidentiality and knowingly write false statements in affidavit and legal documentation. 
• NGO’s using their operations to continue abusing children and families whilst throwing away money at lavish parties whilst bullying and sexually harassing their own staff.
• Kate Washington had the Children’s Guardian removed and placed one of her own staff as acting Guardian. 

Some Stats to Inform the Public (as of mid August 2025)

It is alleged from July 1 to Mid August:

1. 26, 421 screened in ROSH with 12,142 of those still waiting for a decision at the CSC.
2. Only 3286 out of the 26, 421 children had been seen. 

Year to Date (mid August 2025) stats for children case managed by DCJ:

1. 1196 out of 5,548 children in unlawful placements across the state or whereabouts unknown.
2. 1295 Aboriginal children case managed by DCJ did not have a cultural plan. 
3. 5053 out of 5548 children did not have their health measure complete. 

What Needs to Happen

The picture is dire, the Premier has refused to respond to concerns and it is up to the Public to Petition that Minister Washington and the Premier:

1. Be stood down from their respective offices pending full inquiry. 
2. Face criminal charges as per Section 43B and 316A of the Crime’s Act, staff from DCJ and NGO’s who have been reported to the Minister for abuse to children and  for failure to meet their obligation to protect as per the Crimes Act 1900.
3.  Full inquiry into the death of Jack Dempsey and the two other young people in the Western region in 2024.
4. That the Secretary Act as a matter of urgency in appointing a Permanent Deputy Secretary for Child Protection. 
5. Urgent review of matters reported with respect to case workers failing to ensure the safety of children, engaging in dishonest practices, breaching privacy and actively working towards a favourable narrative for the Department and not the child’s bests interests. 
6. Review into the Western EDD Position commencing in January 2025. 
7. Lauren Dean, Paul O’Reilly and Stuart Malcher who act in the A’Deputy Secretary and System reform roles face sacking and criminal charges with respect to their evidenced concealment and failure to act as per Section 43B and 316A of the Crimes Act.
8. Accountability be overseen in terms of DCJ and the NGO’s by the Office of the Children’s Guardian until an independent oversight body can be appointed.
9. An Independent oversight body to be discussed and put to the Senate by a reference group consisting of the OCG, an Aboriginal representative, former senator’s and people who have had lived experience with their lives impacted by the system.
10. 10. An inquiry into the Washington Office including her staff. 
11. Urgent compensation to be paid as a matter of urgency to ensure impacted parties are able to be remunerated for system’s abuse.