Children in crisis

"SOME people just aren't fit to be parents."

That's the message from Mayor Pam Parker after the Child Safety inquiry moved into Logan last week, announcing Logan was ground zero in the battle for child protection in Queensland.

The inquiry also revealed the Logan district had the highest number of calls on child abuse as well as the highest number of children in state care.

"It's really sad," Cr Parker said. "They're having children for the wrong reasons.

"Children need love, nurturing, a good education and a lot of time and energy.

"If you're not prepared to put that commitment in and sacrifice your life, then don't have them."

Cr Parker said the situation was a "mess" and the children were not born bad.

"The question is how do they get to be like that," she said.

"How as a society and government can we pick up for poor parenting?"

Cr Parker called on State and Federal Members of parliament to step up to the plate.

"We can't do this on our own," she said.

"You're a representative too, step up and work with us to transform Logan.

"Don't just look at your electorate, look at it as your city.

"Lets work collectively, lets work together."

Cr Parker said the key was to break the cycle of poverty and abuse. One she knows all too well.

"We have to get these kids out of the cycle," she said.

"I came from a dysfunctional family and I rose above it, you don't have to be a victim of the cycle.

"Look at my family, but there was something in me that told me I was a good kid.

"I grew up in housing commission, in a low socio-economic area, in a single parent house.

"But it's about choices.

"These kids are our future, love them and nurture them, they need a chance."

To hear what your State and Federal Members had to say on the issue turn to pages 14 and 15.