Speech by Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP to the Queensland Legislative Assembly on April 20, 2023.

Today I asked a simple question of the Premier—a hard question—with regard to the deaths of Chloe-Ann and Darcey-Helen Conley.

I asked a question which I think required only a simple response, yet this Premier and her ministers hide behind hypocrisy.

When it suits the government to stand next to those victims who have felt pain and anguish—I refer to the Beasleys, who have done incredible work—when there is a legal appeal underway because it suits the government's 'look feeling' agenda, they are more than happy to do so.

This is a direct statement from their father, Peter Jackson—

Three years ago, the worst thing that could ever happen, did happen. ...

Darcey and Chloe deserved more. All the other children whose lives are in the hands of Child Safety, deserve more.

The Palaszczuk government has given eight years of lip service to Queensland children. Annastacia Palaszczuk, Leanne Linard, Di Farmer and Shannon Fentiman have all, in the years since the girls died, made statements for the sake of the media, suggesting action will be taken. But not one of these ministers have made time in the three years since the girls died, to reach out to me.

Worse than that, children under the Department's care, are still dying. It's not enough to keep talking about changes.

Leadership is about hard conversations. Leadership is about empathy. Leadership is about caring about every Queenslander—those who are vulnerable, not just those who are out there to make the government look good.

Not one member of this government has bothered to pick up the phone to Peter Jackson and say, ‘I am sorry for your loss.' Not one member of the government has demonstrated empathy or sympathy to a father who fought to try and save his children, who repeatedly reported to child safety, along with other family members, that those little girls were in danger. Leadership is not just about platitudes, lip-service or standing up in the media when it suits: it is about showing leadership and it is about being a human being.

I was privileged when Mr Peter Jackson reached out to me after I shared his tragic story in this House. I have taken the time to listen to him. I invited the Leader of the Opposition, who took the time to listen to him. We will not forget those two little girls who paid with their lives. I urge the Premier to reach out to Peter Jackson.