Children and Families

Another prominent feature of government, this department is a mess not only in the NT but across Australia. Recent positions expressed by the Federal Minister indicate that the level of ‘out-of-home’ care is the highest ever so far in our experience.

Restructuring the department into a ‘flatter’ structure that effectively removes ‘management clogs’ is a key.

Middle managers who are working well in their positions will be elevated to the senior management team (that includes the incumbent Minister).  Each senior manager (with the exception of the Minister) will be directly responsible for a number of operational team members and they will report activity to each other in a two-way simplistic and meaningful manner with projected outcomes and time-lines for achieving those outcomes.

This idea is also a beginning of negotiations. Being guided by significant players ‘on the ground’ including partners within and outside ‘the system’ is imperative. The levels of dysfunction within this department, the work loads of ridiculous proportion and the ‘band-aid’ approach to solutions must cease. I will work extensively to get this department working much better than it currently does. There are some very good people working within this department and I would be guided by their wisdom, experience and courage.