Catholic Education Tasmania boss, Gerard Gaskin, apologises following investigation into alleged inappropriate conduct

Tasmania’s Catholic education boss has apologised for “any unintentional harm and distress” he may have caused following an investigation into alleged inappropriate behaviour. HIS APOLOGY LETTER >

Catholic Education Tasmania executive director Gerard Gaskin. Picture: Facebook / Catholic Education Tasmania

The head of Catholic education in Tasmania, Gerard Gaskin, has apologised for “any unintentional harm and distress” he may have caused, following an investigation into alleged inappropriate behaviour towards two women.

Dr Gaskin, the executive director of Catholic Education Tasmania (CET), wrote to colleagues on Friday afternoon after the Sunday Tasmanian sent questions to his office regarding an independent investigation into his alleged conduct.

“I wish to apologise deeply for any unintentional harm and distress that this matter may have caused to the two persons concerned, and to my family,” he wrote.

Following a complaint to the Archdiocese of Hobart, an investigation was launched into an alleged incident at a CET staff meeting in Campbell Town on December 9 last year.

The complaint, which accused Dr Gaskin of sexual harassment, was not made by either of the two women who were the subjects of the alleged behaviour.

According to the complaint, Dr Gaskin allegedly hugged and kissed one female staff member at the meeting, who was said to have “winced and looked surprised”.

In documents obtained by the Sunday Tasmanian, Archbishop of Hobart, Julian Porteous, confirms that an investigation took place and that the women involved told the investigator “they just wanted the behaviour to stop as quickly as possible, and that they did not want to be identified”.

Catholic Education Tasmania executive director Gerard Gaskin

“As a result, Dr Gaskin was spoken to and gave his word that he will not engage in the type of conduct complained of again,” Archbishop Porteous wrote on April 5.

“When the individual women were advised of this, they told the investigator they were satisfied with the outcome and the investigation was concluded on that basis.

“Consistent with the further advice I have received, this was an appropriate course of action, especially having regard to the wishes of those involved.”

The Sunday Tasmanian understands an independent legal review of the original investigation was undertaken, concluding that it was handled properly and resolved in an appropriate way.

In his email to staff, Dr Gaskin said he was informed at the end of the investigation that “the two persons concerned were satisfied with the outcome of the investigation and wanted no further action taken”.

“As commonly happens, at the beginning of a meeting of a large group of people who work around the state, a number of colleagues offered hugs of greeting to each other, and to myself,” he wrote.

“I found out some weeks later that someone made a formal complaint that my greeting hug was not welcomed by two colleagues. The complaint did not come directly from either of them.”

Archbishop Porteous also wrote to CET staff on Friday, expressing his “personal support” for Dr Gaskin.

Easter Sunday St Mary's Cathedral, Archbishop Julian Porteous. Picture: Chris Kidd

“The Archdiocese takes all such matters seriously and where appropriate appoints outside independent investigators,” Archbishop Porteous wrote in the letter seen by the Sunday Tasmanian.

“The matters raised have been fully investigated and the Archdiocese of Hobart is satisfied that there is no case to answer.”

CET manages 38 Catholic schools and colleges across the state with 16,000 students and 2500 staff.

Independent Education Union Victoria Tasmania deputy general secretary, Kylie Busk, said while the union was not aware of the “specific details” of the allegations against Dr Gaskin, the CET “has an obligation to work proactively to ensure that all employees have a safe workplace free from any type of inappropriate behaviour”.

“Given Dr Gaskin’s senior position, we expect that the employer will ensure a safe working environment by putting measures in place to ensure that [staff] do not feel unsafe or uncomfortable at work and also that the employer will ensure that Dr Gaskin does not engage in similar behaviour in the future,” she said.

Dr Gaskin was appointed in 2020. He has worked as a school principal in Melbourne and was formerly the director of religious education in the Diocese of Wagga Wagga.

Originally published as Catholic Education Tasmania boss, Gerard Gaskin, apologises following investigation into alleged inappropriate conduct