Abuse of 9-year-old 'not cause of review'

Paula Bennett. Photo / Richard Robinson

A Government paper to consider the mandatory reporting of child abuse was not prompted by the high-profile case of a 9-year-old girl, says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

Ms Bennett said she hoped that a Green Paper announced yesterday would kick off a national discussion about how children are nurtured and protected.

The paper would look at the needs of those aged up to 18, but would have a special focus on children under 5.

Other ideas for consideration include information sharing to protect children, greater use of schools after hours and whanau-first placements for children in state care.

The announcement comes just two days after Ms Bennett said a ministerial inquiry into the serious abuse of a 9-year-old Auckland girl had now been completed but its findings could not be released because of court proceedings.

The inquiry, led by former Ombudsman Mel Smith, investigated matters including the extent to which the 12 agencies involved with the girl's family shared information and collaborated.

A spokeswoman for Ms Bennett said the minister had been working towards the paper for two years following a trip to Britain.

She had been impressed with the model for managing child abuse there, and it was "certainly not a result" of the events surrounding the 9-year-old, the spokeswoman added.

- Additional reporting NZPA