ANDREW Barr says organisations with responsibility for children will be legally required to report any allegations of abuse or neglect to an independent oversight body under a proposed scheme released for consultation.

“The new measures have been designed in response to the child abuse Royal Commission and we’d like to hear from the community on how the scheme should work,” Andrew said.

“The Commission has already uncovered a number of shortfalls in the investigation and reporting of abuse or neglect against children around Australia, and it’s important the ACT Government has the best possible system in place to protect our children.

“We are determined to ensure our children remain safe. A new ACT scheme is important in developing the right levels of scrutiny on organisations investigating the conduct of employees in relation to allegations of child abuse. Under this scheme, no organisation will be able to sweep allegations under the carpet.

“The proposed new scheme introduces an independent oversight body that will increase statutory responsibility and powers to provide an additional safety net to further protect children and young people.

“The scheme is based on the effective and successful new model currently operating in NSW and compliments the measures already in place in the ACT.

“Increased oversight powers will provide additional assurances to the community that investigations into allegations of child abuse against employees will be carefully monitored and reviewed by an independent statutory body.

“Input from stakeholders and community members will ensure we develop the strongest possible reportable scheme for the ACT and I encourage all interested parties to read the discussion paper at timetotalk.act.gov.au and provide their feedback by 18 March 2016.”