Opposition scaremongering again

Child Protection Minister Robyn McSweeney has slammed claims by Leader of the Opposition Eric Ripper who insinuated the State Government was unable to protect vulnerable children.

"Mr Ripper has the audacity to come out and point the finger at the Government's three per cent efficiency dividend targets when it was his initiative as the Treasurer of the previous Labor government," Mrs McSweeney said.

Mr Ripper's claims were made following evidence given today by Director General for Child Protection Terry Murphy to the Estimates and Financial Operations Committee.

"The previous government in fact approved the imposition of the one-off three per cent efficiency dividend across all appropriation-funded agencies from January 1, 2009," the Minister said.

"It's the current Government which has inherited the responsibility for implementing the efficiency and I'm appalled the Leader of the Opposition has conveniently forgotten about his own initiative and is now attacking the Government for impacts his dividend may have on agencies."

The Department for Child Protection has met 54 per cent of its required efficiency dividend and welcomed support from the Department of Treasury and Finance to help identify further savings.

"These efficiencies - more than half - have been found without making any reductions in service delivery or in front line service delivery staff," Mrs McSweeney said.

"All efficiencies identified have had negligible effect in new services and will not compromise current service standards," she said.