Tuesday, 16 June 2026

 Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (12:25): (1353) My question is to the Minister for Children and disability. Minister, in December 2024 your government’s Department of Families, Fairness and Housing awarded a repeat child sex offender a Disability Pride Champion award. Cameron Bloomfield’s criminal history included findings of guilt for indecent assault, committing an indecent act with a child under 16 and attempting to procure sex with a child under 16. The department sat on this error for a full year before acting. Can the minister explain how a convicted child sex offender was elevated by this government as a community champion?

 Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:25): I thank the member for his question. At the outset can I acknowledge the tragic impact of child sexual abuse and of course the strength of victim-survivors who seek justice. As Mr Mulholland has identified, Mr Bloomfield’s Disability Pride Champion award has been rescinded, and that is obviously more than appropriate. This is a matter that is currently before the courts, and it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.

 Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (12:26): Minister, on your behalf the Parliamentary Secretary for Disability Iwan Walters presented and celebrated the achievement of Cameron Bloomfield and said the nominees exemplify the best of Victoria. His name is still on his website, despite the offender’s name being scrubbed from the same press release on the Premier’s website. Nominees were required to submit a police check consent form, and this man had convictions for child sex offences stretching back to 2005, with further sentencing in 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2020. How is it possible that a department responsible for the safety and wellbeing of children failed so comprehensively to identify and instead gave an award to one of Victoria’s most prolific registered child sex offenders?

 Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:27): Again I thank Mr Mulholland for his question. As has been reported, the department made an error. They have rescinded the award, and I will not comment further given that the matter is before the courts.