Natasha Maclaren-Jones
Shadow Minister for Families and Communities
Shadow Minister for Disability Inclusion
The Shadow Minister for Families and Communities, Natasha Maclaren-Jones, has condemned the Minns Government over a botched bathroom modification that has left a young person in foster care suffering life‑threatening seizures.
“Accessible home modifications are meant to keep people with disability safe, not push them into repeated medical emergencies because basic standards were ignored,” Mrs Maclaren‑Jones said.
“The Minister allowed a family’s home to become a danger zone for their child.”
Reports reveal a teenager in out‑of‑home care, who lives with disability and needs an accessible bathroom, was left without one after the government‑funded renovation was botched. The foster carer was forced to shower the teen on the floor, and the young person has since developed severe, potentially life‑threatening seizures linked to the stress, disruption and unsafe conditions.
Despite repeated requests for help, the Minister failed to act.
“The Minister needs to explain why she ignored this child’s safety and wellbeing after repeated calls for assistance,” Mrs Maclaren‑Jones said.
“The Minister has a duty of care and she has failed this young person and their foster carer. Instead of taking immediate action, she blamed others and shuffled paperwork.”
“When a government signs off on works in a foster carer’s home, where a child with complex needs lives, they must ensure the work is done properly, safely and on time.”
“The Minister must front up, apologise to this carer, and guarantee that no other child in care will be left in this situation again.”
“This young person and their carer have been badly let down.”