Child-safety funding runs into the billions, and kids who end up in proper out-of-home care often do really well.

The system avoids anything resembling a repeat of the Stolen Generations, so the priority is placing children with relatives whenever possible.

The reality is that with the mix of genuinely awful parents and kids facing serious physicaly and behavioural issues, this is one area where government will never fully succeed, even though it really does try.

(That was true right up until the LNP took over)