Delays, excuses and inaction will define minister’s reign

BARRY ANDREWS is an elected public representative. As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, he is the public face of child services.

Despite having overall responsibility for children in care, during the most important periods of his tenure, he has been unable to enforce that duty.

The tragedy of Tracey Fay’s life, documented within a 103-page December 2008 report only made public after it was leaked, is just the latest example.