Four more public servants stood down over fresh child sexual abuse claims
Another four Tasmanian public servants have been stood down after being accused of child sexual abuse, parliament has heard. LATEST >>
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ANOTHER four Tasmanian public servants have been stood down after being accused of child sexual abuse and more claims are expected, parliament has heard.
Premier Peter Gutwein announced the stand-downs in parliament on Wednesday/
Three of the workers were from the state’s south and one from the north.
It takes to 24 the number of public sector workers who have been stood down to date.
Mr Gutwein said two of the allegations were of historic abuse and two were recent.
He praised those who had come forward to the Commission of Inquiry — which held its first public session this week — saying that its work was fully supported by the government.
“The Inquiry is working exactly as it should. People are coming forward. Brave people who feel safe to step forward because the process is there to support them to do that,” he said.
“To each and every person who reports action and tells their story I acknowledge them and thank them. Whether these are historic or current issues, I offer my deepest and most heartfelt apology to all victims.”
Mr Gutwein defended his government's implementation of recommendations from the federal Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, saying 198 of the 307 relevant recommendations were substantially of fully implemented and the remainder were in progress.
Labor’s Child Safety spokeswoman Sarah Lovell said the failure to implement more than 100 recommendations was unacceptable.
“And the government’s excuse that they are in train does just not cut it, particularly for the hundreds of survivors who bravely came forward to tell their stories and try to effect desperately needed change,” Ms Lovell said.
“The government has simply failed to adopt important reforms – after four years – including the key recommendation of establishing a Reportable Conduct Scheme.
Mr Gutwein also announced on Wednesday that the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings would likely have its term expanded.
“It is my view that by fostering processes that encourage people to step forward we will see more cases – this should come as no surprise,” he said.
“We need to shine a light on these matters rather than leave them in the dark.
“Furthermore in line with this, I can confirm that due to the Commission of Inquiry public hearings being unavoidably delayed, we will take advice from the Commission in relation to any extension they may need to complete the very important work they are doing.”
Inquiry investigates ‘cover-ups’ and ‘outright corruption’
“OUTRIGHT corruption” and possible cover-ups of child sexual abuse at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre, Launceston General Hospital and Tasmanian state schools will be investigated in an upcoming Commission of Inquiry.
Alleged child abusers may also be referred to Tasmania Police for criminal prosecution.
The trio of commissioners at the head of the inquiry into the Tasmanian government’s responses to sexual abuse allegations appeared in Hobart on Tuesday, providing an update before hearings of evidence take place in Hobart and Launceston during February and March 2022.
“Our aim is to ensure, wherever possible, that perpetrators will be held responsible by the criminal justice system,” commission president Marcia Neave said.
Counsel assisting Maree Norton said while it was not the commission’s role to prosecute perpetrators, it would refer “matters to the police if it is appropriate to do so”.
She also said any instances of possible cover-ups - potentially to protect abusers or an organisation’s reputation - would be investigated.
“We know that ordinary people might turn a blind eye to something that has been going on,” she said.
“These actions can seem callous or negligent with the benefit of hindsight, but often reflect common human behaviours when confronted with a challenging or difficult situation.”
She said everything from the failure to report abuse, to tampering with documents, to “outright corruption” would be examined.
Ms Norton said while the government had announced Ashley would close within three years, that simply might be too long for the vulnerable children housed there.
“It’s also alleged that staff at Ashley have covered up the abuse, that they’ve destroyed records,” she said.
She said “uncomfortable questions” would be asked, including why Launceston General Hospital nurse James Geoffrey Griffin continued working for years despite numerous allegations and complaints.
Ms Norton also said allegations had been made against Royal Hobart Hospital staff.
She said the Tasmanian inquiry would build on the learnings from the national royal commission into institutional child sexual abuse, which four years ago delivered more than 400 recommendations for reform.
“Some key recommendations have not yet been implemented by the Tasmanian government and we are keen to understand why,” she said.
She said the commission had already conducted a body of work in the lead-up to next year’s hearings, including speaking to children, experts, psychiatrists, sexual assault counsellors and community leaders across Tasmania – including at smaller townships like Scamander and Queenstown.
The commission has also conducted a number of site visits, including to the Ashley Youth Detention Centre, and has received 111 written submissions from various organisations and individuals.
Ms Norton said delays caused by the pandemic meant it might be difficult for the commission to return its report to the Tasmanian government by August 2022.
The commission was announced by Premier Peter Gutwein in November last year after revelations of a slew of disturbing allegations against Tasmanian government staff, including James Geoffrey Griffin via The Nurse podcast.
“There is nothing more important than the safety of our young people, which is exactly why we have acted and established the Commission of Inquiry,” Mr Gutwein said this evening.
“The fact that people are bravely stepping forward and issues are being raised shows the process is working exactly as it should.”
Originally published as Four more public servants stood down over fresh child sexual abuse claims
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