Investigations into state sector workers accused of child abuse not meeting expectations: Premier

Premier Jeremy Rockliff says it is taking far too long to finish investigations into public servants accused of child sexual abuse – and has asked state service chiefs for an assurance they are doing all they can. TAKE THE COI POLL.

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

Premier Jeremy Rockliff says it is taking far too long to finish investigations into public servants accused of child sexual abuse – and has asked state service chiefs for an assurance they are doing all they can.

Mr Rockliff’s demand comes after the Mercury revealed taxpayers have forked out the equivalent of more than 60 years worth of full-time wages to public sector workers accused of child sex offences.

On Wednesday, Mr Rockliff rejected Labor’s call for more decisive action

“The Labor Party has reached a new low point with this disgusting falsehood. There isn’t a single Tasmanian who believes this outrageous slur from Dr [Shane] Broad and he should be ashamed.”

But after overnight reflection, he said that the long delays in resolving cases were not good enough.

“It is clear that the length of time some public service employee investigations are taking falls far short of mine, and the public’s expectations,” Mr Rockliff said.

“We must do better and do all we can – within the law – to ensure investigations are timely.

The community expects, as do I, that these investigations are resolved sooner.

Premier of Tasmania Jeremy Rockliff during national cabinet meeting with State Premieres and Chief Ministers at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“To be clear, in matters of alleged child sexual abuse, employees are immediately removed from the workplace to ensure the investigation can proceed as quickly as practicable and to keep children and young people safe.”

Routine disclosures by the Department of Premier and Cabinet reveal 74 state servants have been suspended from duty as a result of allegations of child sexual abuse since October 2020.

Figures obtained by Labor reveal they have been paid a total of around 22,000 days pay – equivalent to more than 61 years worth of full-time wages.

The average suspended public servant on the list as been stood down on full pay for 303 days – with six having been stood down for more than 1,000 days.

Beyond Abuse CEO Steve Fischer said victim-survivors were becoming frustrated at the pace of action in the wake of the Commission of Inquiry (COI).

“We [survivors] have had enough, we have been through a Royal Commission, and now a COI and we just want the government to be allowed to get on with doing their job,” he said.

“For God’s sake is it too much to ask that everybody works together to help protect and keep our children safe? Once again victim-survivors are being used as collateral damage in an attempt to score cheap political points. Enough is enough.”

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

Mr Rockliff noted that disciplinary cases against public sector workers can be extremely complex and sensitive, and public sector agencies must work in accordance with the law to ensure the process is not opened up to legal challenge.

“I have urgently tasked the Head of the State Service to work with Secretaries to provide me with assurances that all available legal and workplace remedies to resolve outstanding matters are being taken as quickly as is possible, mindful that some may involve legal complexities that may be preventing such outcomes.

Labor leader Rebecca White is it was past time Mr Rockliff acted.

“In some cases, these employees have been stood down on full pay for more than three years and yet it hasn’t been until now when the Labor Party has asked questions about it that they’re going to suddenly undertake an investigation to find out why,” she said.

“It is simply unacceptable that these investigations are taking years, when you’re talking about some of the most serious allegations of abuse against children.”

Originally published as Investigations into state sector workers accused of child abuse not meeting expectations: Premier