Deputy Speaker, people working with children see this Ministry as diverting attention on children's matters away from relevant Ministries. Departments like Health, Education and Social Development have the primary responsibility for children as well as the mandate and the money, yet children's matters are increasingly been drawn to a Ministry that can do nothing.
The consensus is that this budget should be urgently redirected into budgets where the Children's Act and the Child Justice Act, both grossly underfunded, can be managed and implemented. No disrespect, hon Minister, but the funds at present going to providing capacity, offices, cars and salaries in this Ministry have no direct impact on improving the lives of children and could be better used elsewhere.
The ACDP cannot support this budget while its ability to improve the lives of women, children and people with disabilities is in question.