Parents and families, communities and governments too often are failing in their duty of care to vulnerable children, sometimes with tragic consequences. In Queensland, observers following the issue are waiting for the Palaszczuk government to release the first annual report by the Child Death Review Board that it was handed in October last year. After the parliamentary recess, it is due for release soon. The report examines the deaths of 55 children last financial year who were in the care of the state’s child safety department. Of what is known, 10 children died from assault and neglect, 10 from natural causes, nine in transport accidents, six by suicide and two drowned. Other deaths are unexplained or are still being investigated. More information is needed about how and why children in care died.
