Inquiry denial threatens credibility of welfare reforms

Labour MP Peeni Henare says he’s disgusted Social Development Minister Anne Tolley won't call an inquiry into historic abuse of children in state care.

Ms Tolley maintains the abuse was not systemic, and she is working through the process of apologies to the 1000 or so people who have some forward so far.

Mr Henare says the minister’s refusal to listen to experts like Judge Carolyn Henwood, who recommended an independent inquiry after hearing hundreds of stories of abuse, doesn’t bode well for the current reform of Child, Youth and Family.

"In order for us to move forward we've got to confront those issues of the past around abuse of those taken into state care, about the neglect shown to them and also the insults to the families. So many people have been affected by it, and if the minister can't confront those issues or at least acknowledge for a start they are there and order an inquiry so they are dealt with properly, we are wasting our time with wider reforms," he says.

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