over the Nambour Day Nursery controversy.

The Hon. Quinton Edness was attacked by parents who have pulled their youngsters from the nursery.

And he came under fire from lawyer and PLP MP Julian Hall, who is representing some of the parents.

"I certainly can't blame parents for their frustration,'' said Mr. Hall.

Yesterday evening Mr. Edness could not be reached for comment, despite repeated efforts by The Royal Gazette .

But on Sunday he told the paper a Government probe was continuing -- although no allegation of misconduct had been substantiated.

He added a review found only a few of the nursery's procedures should be changed.

Mr. Edness, however, admitted some children had been "traumatised''.

"How this happened, and how it came about, we don't know.'' Last week Nambour's owners Mr. David and Lydia Oliveira announced they would retire on August 31.

They said their hand had been forced by allegations over how children were treated. These have been strongly denied.

Government is awaiting a licence application from operators of a new programme at the premises.

It is expected the new nursery will have a different staff.

Government chief medical officer Dr. John Cann said Nambour children would probably get preference at the new nursery.

Yesterday a group of parents of former Nambour children released a powerfully worded statement.

And Mr. Edness bore the brunt of their anger.

The parents said they had refrained from public comment, hoping the Country's legal system and Government would act.

"We now recognise that despite our best efforts and our commitment to handling this sensitive matter in a quiet and non-political way, nothing was done.'' They continued: "We are very relieved that the facility will be changing hands but this matter is far from resolved in our minds.'' The group said many families had been "torn apart'' by stress brought on by the controversy.

And parents said they hoped Government would be forced to take action.

Mr. Edness, they claimed, had privately acknowledged staff at his Ministry had been inactive.

"Now he has said publicly that he doesn't believe that there was any evidence of abuse whatsoever.'' The Coalition for the Protection of Children has also criticised Mr. Edness, and the Attorney General.

It said investigations had been unsatisfactory.

Mr. Hall said yesterday he had sympathy with the parents' frustration.

He said Mr. Edness should remember his Ministerial responsibility, and put political considerations to one side.

There should have been greater urgency in dealing with the parents' complaints.