Archive Article: Human Rights Day. 11th Dec 98.
December 23, 2008

December 10 was Human Rights Day. It was partly marked in NSW by a campaign to guarantee the existence of a body which has earned respect and credibility for its effective protection of the human rights of disadvantaged people: the Community Services Commission.

The Community Services Commission was created in 1994 as an independent body to monitor the delivery of community services in NSW. It has an impressive record. Over 75 per cent of the complaints referred to it have been resolved swiftly and informally; it has reduced the number of deaths of babies and the risk of death or serious injury to children with disabilities; it has helped stamp out the unlawful solitary confinement of people with disabilities; it has been involved in the closure of unsafe welfare agencies and their replacement with good quality alternatives; and it has identified the reforms required to address systemic failings in the NSW community services system.

Why, then, has there been all the controversy? The sparking point has been the State Government’s apparent failure to re-appoint Roger West as the Community Services Commissioner. I say “apparent failure” because it is by no means clear just what is going on.

Wesley Mission has worked closely with both the Commission and the Commissioner himself. When news reached Wesley Mission that Mr West was leaving the Commission, Wesley Mission wrote to the Government explaining Wesley Mission’s high opinion of both the Commission and Mr West and expressing the hope that Mr West could remained in his post.

The Minister for Community Services, The Hon Faye Lo Po’ wrote back saying that she has “nothing but the highest regard for Mr West and I sincerely regret his decision not to seek re-appointment”. Mr West has since issued his own statement that he holds the Minister in high regard.

Well: just what is going on? Did he jump or was he pushed? I’m still not clear. The Minister says Mr West decided to go while Mr West suggests that he was eased out.

Wesley Mission is not into the higher politics of government appointments. It is far more concerned with the fate of the people who are to be helped by the delivery of community services.

On December 10: Human Rights Day, NSW community service agencies called on the Premier and the new Leader of the Opposition to clearly commit themselves in detail, through public and written statements, to an independent, strong and adequately funded Community Services Commission.

I agree. Mr West says that the Government has not put enough resources into the Community Services Commission. The Commission needs the additional support from government.

As the Human Rights Day statement from the social welfare agencies pointed out: at a time when NSW citizens are expecting greater security and better performance in their social and community services, this and the next NSW Government should be upgrading the role and resources of bodies like the Community Services Commission.

BROADCAST ON FRIDAY DECEMBER 11 1998 ON RADIO 2GB’S “BRIAN WILSHIRE PROGRAMME” AT 9 PM, AND ON DECEMBER 13 1998 ON “SUNDAY NIGHT LIVE” AT 10.30 PM