Citation

Tilbury C, Mazerolle P. Aust. J. Public Admin. 2008; 67(3): 283-293.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1467-8500.2008.00587.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Internationally as well as in Australia, public inquiries have become one of the dominant means of scrutinising child protection services. As such, inquiries have become a policy mechanism for defining the problem of child abuse, and developing possible solutions. This article examines the 2004 Crime and Misconduct Commission Inquiry into the Abuse of Children in Foster Care in Queensland. It discusses both the problems and potential of public inquiries in promoting positive change in a contested policy field like child protection.