Tuesday, 9 September 2025

North-Eastern Metropolitan Region

Nick McGOWAN (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:55): (1812) My question is to the Minister for Children, and the question is simply this: what can I do to help you save Parentline? I had the great pleasure today of being joined by Donna Watts. Donna Watts is a mother, and at one point with her infant children, then younger children, then adolescent children – they are now adults of course – she actually used Parentline. Parentline is a critical service because, as those who have used it before know, it operates between 8 am and midnight seven days a week, every week of the year. That Parentline is due to close on the 31 October, and there is no service that replaces it. As those present know, in anyone’s family and upbringing you need to have those who can provide assistance. This line has dedicated professionals, social workers and therapists who provide that assistance. During this critical week, when we mark National Child Protection Week – as the minister would know, it is an extraordinary cut – we hope that the minister will save Parentline.

The PRESIDENT: Mr McGowan, can you just tie it to your electorate? Do you want to just say ‘parents in my electorate’ or something like that?

Nick McGOWAN: Sure. This question comes from a mother, which actually instigated my interest in this matter in the first instance.