Natasha Maclaren-Jones
Shadow Minister for Families and Communities
Shadow Minister for Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Claims of underage forced marriage ceremonies in suburban backyards have revealed the Minns Labor Government is failing to act on reports of abuse and children becoming child brides.
Shadow Minister for Families and Communities Natasha Maclaren‑Jones said the data exposed a catastrophic failure by the Minns Labor Government to protect some of the state’s most vulnerable children and called it a direct consequence of Labor’s neglect of the child protection system.
“Underage forced marriage is a horrific crime, it is not marriage, it is rape and child abuse, plain and simple”, Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
“Under the Minns Labor Government underaged forced marriage has risen, and they have done nothing to stop kids known to DCJ becoming child brides. That is a damning indictment of their failure to protect vulnerable children.”
“These are young girls, often still at school, being forced into a lifetime of trauma and exploitation while the government looks the other way.”
Mrs Maclaren-Jones said many of the children involved in these cases were known to the Department of Community and Justice as being Reported at Risk of Significant Harm (ROSH), yet the NSW Government has failed to act, improve cultural and community engagement, and ensure every ROSH was properly assessed and acted upon.
“With wait times to the helpline going through the roof, the Minns Government is allowing these children to fall victim to predators,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
“The Labor Government has shown it has no plan to keep kids safe or ensure all ROSH reports are properly investigated.”
“The Government must explain how children already known to the Department were not protected, and what steps the Minister will take to make sure it never happens again.”
“The Minns Labor Government cannot hide behind reviews and rhetoric while children are being exploited by predators.”
“When the NSW Liberals and Nationals were in Government, we called out the horrors of underaged forced marriage, empowered victims to speak up, and backed stronger protections so perpetrators were held accountable.
“The NSW Opposition remains committed to protecting vulnerable children and women from exploitation and control in all its forms.”