NSW spent $68m in past year keeping children removed from families in motels

'Alternative care' arrangements on the rise, and 42% of children Indigenous

The New South Wales government spent $68m in the past year keeping children who were removed from their families in motels, hotels and other kinds of "alternative care" and, according to the government's own figures, these arrangements are on the rise.

According to minutes from the now-disbanded Family and Community Services (Facs) ministerial advisory group, there were 161 children and young people living in motels, hotels and serviced apartments in October last year.