ACT welcomes stronger, independent oversight of Oranga Tamariki

ACT MP Laura McClure has welcomed the next phase in establishing truly independent oversight of Oranga Tamariki with the appointment of a chair to the new Independent Children’s Board – a key step in delivering the ACT–National coalition commitment to create truly independent oversight of Oranga Tamariki.

“This new board begins to turn the page, following on from legislative change earlier this term to ensure there is truly independent oversight of Oranga Tamariki that is not captured by political influence.

“Labour used its majority to ram through legislation that ignored the voices of abuse survivors, frontline advocates, and every other party in Parliament – including ACT, National, the Greens, and Te Pāti Māori. They moved monitoring of Oranga Tamariki from crown entity to within the Ministry for Education, severely undermining its independence.

“That rare consensus against Labour showed just how out of touch they were.

“The harrowing Moana case exposed how Oranga Tamariki placed ideology over child safety. Just yesterday Oranga Tamariki was ordered to pay to pay costs estimated to be $108,000 after they attempted to remove a child from a safe, loving foster home because the parents were the 'wrong' race.

"This is what happens when no one is watching and no one holding the system accountable.

“My colleague Karen Chhour has ensured children’s safety and wellbeing is restored at the heart of the system.

“Karen has already repealed section 7AA, so no child is removed from a safe and loving home or placed in a dangerous one based on race. She’s also holding the Chief Executive to account with measurable public KPIs.

“This new Board is another milestone. ACT will keep pushing until Oranga Tamariki serves children as its top priority and is finally held accountable.”