Ministers ‘deflecting responsibility’ over forced adoption detail fix

Loading

There was no response from Camm. No minister gave Brisbane Times also an answer. But that changed this week when this imprint asked Camm’s office for not responding to Jigsaw.

what did they say

In his Thursday letter, which followed questions from this imprint on Wednesday, Camm said he had forwarded his concerns to Frecklington and suggested any further questions be referred to his department.

In a later statement Brisbane TimesCamm said he would continue to work with Frecklington to resolve issues “resulting from changes to the Birth, Death and Marriage Register”.

“I have responded to correspondence from Jigsaw Queensland,” he said. “A meeting will be held with Jigsaw Queensland in due course.”

Another perspective

Sparrow said Camm and Frecklington “abdicated their responsibility… neither stepped forward to resolve nor reverse what was the RBDM’s executive decision.” [the department]”.

“Meanwhile, people affected by adoption remain in distress and uncertainty, many of whom have been waiting decades for answers,” she said.

“Many people are running out of time and racing against the clock as their parents get older.

“Instead of leadership, we see reactive, piecemeal responses, struggling silently in the background as the media begins to ask questions.”

In September, a ministry spokesman would not comment on any specific catalysts for change and whether other options would be considered.

Labour’s shadow attorney general, Meaghan Scanlon, accused Camm of “putting his head in the sand and ignoring the people he should be supporting”.

Start your day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.