David Bartlett's astounding assertion this morning that Lin Thorp is "doing a magnificent job" as the Minister for Children shows just how out of touch he is with the community.
She is not doing a "magnificent job". On her watch as Human Services Minister last year, a 12-year old girl under the protection of the state was prostituted to somewhere between 100 and 200 men.
One can hardly imagine a more serious Ministerial failure.
Rather than blindly defending his failed Minister, David Bartlett must show some leadership and sack the Minister for Children, Lin Thorp, after yesterday's damning report from the Children's Commissioner.
As the Minister for Human Services prior to the election, Lin Thorp had responsibility for Child Protection during the time that the State was the legal guardian of the child.
Under our Westminster system of government, a Minister bears ultimate responsibility for the actions of their department, which on Minister Thorp's own admission, has failed the child in question.
It is simply not good enough nor acceptable for the Minister to blame the "community" for the failings in her own department. The community is not the problem, the Minister is the problem and she must go.
Ms Thorp says she's "not a quitter". Well, Ms Thorp, it's not about you.
It's about our children, it's about accepting responsibility, and it's about fulfilling your responsibilities under our system of Government.
Mr Bartlett must act. Ms Thorp must go.
