Government will spend next five years implementing Commission of Inquiry recommendations

The state government will implement the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry over the next five-and-a-half years, it has been revealed.

Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government's responses to child sexual abuse in institutional settings. Movenpick Hotel, Hobart Tasmania.

The state government will implement the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry over the next five-and-a-half years, it has been revealed.

And the closure of the notorious Ashley Youth Detention Centre — which was called for ‘as soon as possible’ could still be Two-and-a-half years away.

The government released its formal response to the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings on Friday.

Titled ‘Keeping Children Safe and Rebuilding Trust’, it includes a signed statement of commitment from every government minister and the secretaries of every government department.

The recommendations will be rolled out in three phases, with the first 48 Commission recommendations to be delivered by July 2024, 110 under Phase Two by July 2026 and 33 under Phase Three by July 2029.

The most urgent responses include establishing a statutory Commission for Children and Young People, boosting funding for out of home care reforms, improving mechanisms around reporting in the Department of Health and eliminating consent as a mitigating factor in child sexual abuse cases.

In his preface to the response, Premier Jeremy Rockliff said he wanted Tasmania to become a national leader in enshrining the safety of children and young people in government institutions.

“Transforming our government institution, our systems, our culture and rebuilding trust will take time, investment and a commitment to deliver,” he said.

“But the way forward is clear, and it is our highest priority.”

Premier Jeremy Rockliff at the final question time in the Tasmanian parliament for 2023. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Tasmania’s first Commission of Inquiry – the state’s equivalent of a Royal Commission – since 1999 handed its final report to government on August 31.

Its eight volume report ran to more than 3,000 pages and contained 75 findings and 191 recommendations.

Among the recommendations were a call for the immediate closure of Ashley, the outsourcing of out-of-home care to non-government agencies and a ban on strip searches for young people in custody.

Former Premier Peter Gutwein announced in September 2021 that Ashley would close within three years.

Hot Air Balloon Tasmania during a flight from Deloraine to Hagley, Ashley Youth Detention Centre. PICTURE CHRIS KIDD

The government’s response reveals the relevant recommendation has a timeline for completion by July 2026.

A legislated ban on strip searches of young people — which the Commission wants defined as a form of child sexual abuse — has the same deadline.

Long-debated reforms to introduce the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 14 years and the minimum age of detention to 16 remain up to six years away.

The government’s record at swiftly implementing measures intended to protect children has not been stellar.

The federal Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse handed down its final report in December 2017.

Six years later, 214 of the 304 relevant recommendations have been implemented, according to the latest progress report.

If you need to talk to someone, support is available from the following organisations

• Lifeline (24 hours) 131 114

• Beyond Blue 1300 224 636

• Beyond Blue Webchat Support Service

• Victims of Crime Service 1300 300 238

• Sexual Assault Support Service (24 hours) 1800 697 877

• Laurel House Northern Tasmania [phone]

• Laurel House North West Tasmania [phone]

• Blue Knot Foundation 1300 657 380

• Child Abuse Prevention Services 1800 688 009

• Strong Families, Safe Kids 1800 000 123

• 1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732

• Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467

• Phone and Online Counselling (suicidecallbackservice.org.au)

• MensLine Australia 1300 789 978

• Relationships Australia Tasmania 1300 364 277

Originally published as Government will spend next five years implementing Commission of Inquiry recommendations