Premier’s apology over groans at question from abuse survivor

Peter Gutwein has offered a personal apology to a victim-survivor of child sexual abuse after members of his government groaned when a question was asked on her behalf in parliament. LATEST FROM PARLIAMENT >>

PREMIER Peter Gutwein has offered a personal apology to a victim-survivor of child sexual abuse after members of his government groaned when a question was asked on her behalf in parliament.

Opposition leader Rebecca White’s inquiry during Question Time was met with the groans from government members and the words “Oh, come on”.

The opposition leader was visibly taken aback by the interjection.

“I beg your pardon. I am directly quoting a victim-survivor. How insulting,” she said.

Premier Peter Gutwein offered to contact the woman with a personal apology for the conduct – and repeated that apology publicly.

“In response to the person referenced by Ms White in Question Time today, I would like to unreservedly apologise on behalf of the Government,” he said.

The woman, who was watching proceedings over the live webcast, said it seemed as if some members of the government were still not taking the issue seriously and said there was a need for a reprimand and further education.

“I appreciate Mr Gutwein responding to my request, however, I am deeply concerned I needed to demand an apology in the first instance,” she said.

Premier Peter Gutwein on the first day of parliament for 2022. Photo: Linda Higginson

“It was obviously extremely distressing to listen to. I was completely disgusted at the behaviour.”

“Ms White made it extremely clear she was quoting a victim-survivor. There was no way they could have misheard her, she was extremely clear.

“I felt there was a complete disregard and an attempt to minimise it – like an ‘Oh here we go again. It was treated like it was annoying and exasperating.”

In his response to the question, Mr Gutwein said he had called a Commission of Inquiry to ask questions and seek answers on behalf of victim-survivors.

“I say to the person the Leader has been speaking to that I am so terribly sorry for the circumstances they find themselves in and for others in those circumstances,”

“I acknowledge their bravery in bringing these matters forward.

“As a government, we want to get to the bottom of it and ensure that, moving forward, these matters never occur again.”

Ms White said she was disappointed in the initial reaction to her question from the government benches.

“The callous reaction from members of the Gutwein Government when I shared a statement from a victim-survivor was insulting, offensive and caused enormous hurt.

“Victim survivors who share their story are courageous and they should not be diminished or ridiculed by members of the Gutwein Government.

“What those Gutwein government front bench members did was repulsive and they should publicly apologise.”

Claims abuse whistleblowers will miss legal help

PUBLIC sector whistleblowers who want to give evidence to the Commission of Inquiry into child abuse may not be eligible to receive government legal help, Labor says.

Opposition leader Rebecca White has asked Premier Peter Gutwein whether those were summoned to give evidence were eligible for legal assistance and those who went of their own accord were not.

Ms White referred to a fact sheet circulated to public sector staff about the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s responses to child sexual abuse in institutional settings.

“The communication that’s been provided to state service employees from department heads does outline that they can participate in this process but it’s only offering them legal support if they are subpoenaed as witnesses or to provide evidence on compulsion by the Commission of Inquiry,” she said.

“It is not clear in the communication from the department to state service employees that they can voluntarily engaged with the commission of inquiry process, and that they will have access to legal support if they choose to do that.”

Premier Peter Gutwein on the first day of parliament for 2022. Photo: Linda Higginson

Premier Peter Gutwein said Ms White should have checked the guidelines.

“If she had, she would note the guidance clearly states that all state servants are able to voluntarily share information about their experiences with the Commission,” he said.

“In fact, Agencies are proactively ensuring all staff are aware of their ability to participate in the COI’s work, should they wish to.

“If anyone has information about their experiences which they want to provide to the Commission, but is worried about providing it, they are able to directly contact the Commission to discuss their options.”

Additionally, an Indemnity and Legal Assistance Panel has been established to consider indemnity or legal assistance for State Servants to ensure all State Service employees are able to apply to be indemnified, or provided with legal representation.

Ms White said she believed some public sector workers were reluctant to come forward to give evidence because of fear of reprisals.

“I have heard from different people that they don’t feel safe to provide information to the commission of inquiry.

Tasmanian Labor leader Rebecca White speaks to the media on parliament Lawns in Hobart on Wednesday, March 9, 2022.

“There is advice that I’ve received that people who are current employees of the state service are finding other ways to try and get that information to the Commission of Inquiry so that they don’t come to the attention of their direct managers because they are fearful about what it means for their jobs.”

The state government’s Policy and Guidelines for the Grant of Indemnities and Legal Assistance to Public Officers of the State of Tasmania requires all those giving evidence to tell the government’s Indemnity and Legal Assistance Panel what they’re going to say and to provide all relevant documents before to being given assistance.

The panel is made up of the Department of Justice Secretary, the Solicitor General and another member including either a head of agency or the Premier’s Chief of Staff.

Funding can also be withdrawn if applicants don’t co-operate with government lawyers.

The 16-page policy says funding will be granted when “where the Panel is satisfied that … the matter giving rise to the inquiry or investigation for which the legal assistance is sought does not relate to a complaint by a Public Officer against another Public Officer and it is in the interest of the Crown that the Public Officer be assisted.”

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