Good news in the Tasmanian budget! Money has been budgeted for, wait for it – we have been waiting over a decade since calling on the State Govt for it! – a Working With Children Card! Yah! PTL!

From the Tasmanian Government Budget Papers:

Checks for People Working with Children and Vulnerable People

Funding of $900 000 over two years is being provided to assist with the establishment of a centralised unit for the background checking and risk assessment of people working with children and other vulnerable Tasmanians.

The first phase of the project will be to establish a more comprehensive background checking and risk assessment process for people working with children to reduce the risk of sexual, physical, emotional and financial harm or neglect. A second phase will expand the process to include those working with vulnerable people.

The Minister for Community Services Cassy O’Connor being interviewed on ABC Radio 936 Hobart this morning, http://blogs.abc.net.au/files/safe-children—cassy-oconnor.mp3

A Departmental discussion paper from A Working with Children and other Vulnerable People Checking System for Tasmania 2010.

Tasmanian Budget – excellent overview. Thanks to Becher and the Font Public Relations Crew. 2013-14 Budget Overview