The Government (McGinty) will 'Save the Children'.

Is Children's Commissar too close to McGinty?

Michelle Scott the new Children's Commissioner appointed by AG Jim McGinty doesn't fill many people with confidence including Liberal Barbara Scott MLC who has championed the establishment of this office for at least 10 years - until McGinty and Carpenter recently capitulated.

When the lid was finally blown off the child neglect and abuse among Aboriginal families, by the Steve Pennells series of expose stories on Halls Creek in "The West Australian" of a couple of year ago, the embarrassed Carpenter Government finally moved to make it look like they were doing something. Remember that in the 1980's and 90's you were branded a racist in the ALP if you suggested activities like these were a problem in Aboriginal communities.

Worse still about the appointment is that Michelle Scott is a social worker; from the very group that has been guiltly of repeatedly failing children - albeit hamstrung by Left Faction Ministers who did nothing about child neglect and abuse under the guise of Aboriginal self-determination. The 'nobility' of Aboriginal culture blinded them to any consideration of that possibility.

That Michelle Scott is too close to McGinty, is the charge. She was the acting director-general of McGinty's Department of Attorney General last year. No one gets these sensitive jobs unless close to and totally trusted by McGinty. His trusted CEO Danny Cloghan is a left faction apparatchik, ex Secretary of the Prison Officers Union; the hatchet man who recently 'kneecapped' FOI Commissioner Darryl Wookey with the decision about her sacking. I doubt very much if you would find a member of the Right Faction in McGinty's office or any other office of a Left ministers or in any 'political' position sensitive to the Left for that matter.

It is also a worry when all the usual suspects, such as WACOSS, church groups and the Greens come out in a chorus of support for the appointment.

Will Michelle Scott be a fearless advocate for children? Will she be really independent of Government? Will she be worth the salary $176 000 a year salary plus perks? Can we expect any initiative from the new Children's Commissioner and her Office or will the office become another clueless limpet firmly attached to the public wallet? Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.

Not being compromised by an appointment to an acting position, like Darryl Wookey, will help. Let's hope Michelle Scott surprises us all and looks after abused and neglected children and not the neglectful and secretive Government.

Unfortunately, Michelle Scott may not last long, if she does her job well.