Abuse survivor calls for Elise Archer and Michael Ferguson to resign after groaning incident

An abuse survivor whose questions prompted a response of audible groans in parliament recently says two ministers who refused to apologise to her should resign immediately. THE HEATED EXCHANGE >>

TWO ministers who have refused to personally apologise for groaning at a question about child sexual abuse were unfit for office and should resign, says the victim-survivor on whose behalf the question was asked.

Opposition leader Rebecca White and Greens leader Cassy O’Connor accused Minister for Justice Elise Archer and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael Ferguson of having audibly groaned in response to the question in state parliament a fortnight ago.

Both ministers stonewalled calls for an apology on Tuesday.

Minister for Education, Children and Youth Roger Jaensch apologised at the time and Premier Peter Gutwein also offered both a public and a private apology to Tiffany Skeggs on behalf of the government.

Ms Skeggs — whose abuse allegations against nurse James Geoffrey Griffin helped prompt the current Commission of Inquiry — was watching the debate and said she and other victim-survivors had a right to be dismayed.

A motion to force an apology, and another to censure the two ministers, were both defeated along party lines.

Minister Michael Ferguson. First day of parliament this sitting with a number of members missing due to covid in the house of reps. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“Today this government destroyed the last ounce of remaining hope I held for their integrity,” Ms Skeggs said.

“The only remotely appropriate step to be taken from now is for Mr Ferguson and Ms Archer to resign immediately.

“I deserve the appropriate apologies to be made. I shouldn’t need to demand them. The Opposition and Greens shouldn’t need to demand them on my behalf.

“Given the lack of respect and accountability that I have witnessed again today, I ask Mr Gutwein to reprimand his ministers accordingly and I personally feel they should resign from their portfolios.

Earlier, during Question Time, Ms Archer and Mr Ferguson described the questions seeking an apology as “appalling”.

Labor leader Rebecca White and deputy leader Anita Dow. First day of parliament this sitting with a number of members missing due to covid in the house of reps. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Ms Archer said an apology had already been made on her behalf.

“The Premier has unreservedly apologised without explanation or excuse to the parliament,” she said.

“The Premier’s apology was very genuine and was made on behalf of all government members.”

Mr Ferguson also stood behind the Premier’s apology.

“I can only reiterate what my colleague the Minister for Justice has just stated to the parliament: the Premier has unreservedly apologised on behalf of this side of the House,” he said.

Mr Gutwein rejected Opposition claims that the government lacked integrity when it came to pursuing justice for the victims of child sexual abuse.

“Again I would say to Ms Skeggs, I have provided an apology on behalf of this government … that apology stands,” he said.

Mr Gutwein said he looked forward to meeting Ms Skeggs in the coming weeks and saluted the bravery of victim-survivors for coming forward and sharing their stories.

Tassie teachers to be the worst-paid in the nation after new deal

TASMANIA’S public school teachers have voted to accept a government pay offer that is less than inflation and which their union says leaves them among the worst-paid in the nation.

Minister for Education, Children and Youth Roger Jaensch said the short-term deal would deliver an immediate 2.35 per cent pay rise.

The latest CPI figures indicated a 4.5 per cent annual increase, meaning teachers will be receive a pay cut in real terms.

The pay increase will be in place while negotiations continue for a longer term enterprise agreement to cover the government school sector. The new deals will expire in September.

“The agreement, which recognises the importance of teachers and their impact in student learning, has been negotiated following a series of meetings between the parties,” Mr Jaensch said.

“I would like to thank the AEU for their part in the constructive nature of these negotiations.”

AEU Tasmania President David Genford said the short-term deal the offer left Tasmanian teachers as some of the lowest paid nationally and does nothing to tackle excessive teacher workloads or better support student learning.

Labor presser

“Tasmanian teachers who are keeping students learning through Covid deserve improved working conditions – this offer doesn’t achieve that, but it does provide some benefit to members as we strive for solutions, with negotiations now restarting on our full Log of Claims,” he said.

“We look forward to a more positive response from Government on our solutions to Tasmania’s teacher shortage, which is central to the untenable working conditions teachers are dealing with.”

Mr Genford said around half of eligible members votes in a ballot on the deal, with 94 per cent of those indicating their support.

Strip-searching reforms introduced

LONG-sought reforms to restrict the use of strip-searches in Tasmania have been introduced into state parliament.

The Youth Justice Amendment Bill would enact changes sought by the Commissioner for Children and Young people and protect the best interests of those in custody in line with human rights standards and contemporary best practice, Attorney-General Elise Archer said.

“While we know that some searches are required for safety and security reasons to prevent harmful items, such as drugs and weapons, entering custodial facilities, the practice of routine strip searches of youth has already ceased in all custodial facilities in Tasmania, including police watch-houses, prisons and detention centres,” she said.

The Bill adds additional requirements and safeguards before strip searches can be carried out and the government is investing in body scanners that will minimise the reliance on more invasive search types.

“The new full-body scanners will be able to detect objects on or inside a person’s body and clothing without the need to physically remove items of clothing or make any physical contact with the person being searched,” Ms Archer said.

The scanners are expected to be operational in the in the Hobart and Launceston Reception Prisons, the Mary Hutchinson’s Women’s Prison and the Ashley Youth Detention Centre before the end of 2022.

Covid hits Tasmania parliament

THREE members of state parliament will be absent from Tuesday’s sittings due to Covid-19.

Independent MP for Clark Kristie Johnston confirmed on Monday that she had tested positive to the virus, as has Legislative Councillor Ruth Forrest.

And Greens MP Rosalie Woodruff is in isolation after being identified as a close contact — and her party leader is concerned the Parliamentary sitting week could see further cases.

Ms Johnston said she was feeling a lot better on Monday after testing positive on Thursday last week.

The MP, who is triple-vaccinated, said she would be awaiting clearance before returning to parliament, hopefully on Thursday.

“I’ll be watching tomorrow from my home office,” Ms Johnston said.

There are no arrangements in place for MPs who are absent due to Covid or in Covid-related isolation to take part in Parliamentary debate or votes.

With the independent member and one Green missing the government will have 12 members available for votes, Labor, 9, and the Greens, one.

There were 1,304 cases of Covid reporters in Tasmania on Monday, down one from the day before.

It was the seventh day in a row — and the 12th day in the previous fortnight — where cases topped 1,000.

Masks are no longer mandatory in Parliament House, although the Speaker and Legislative Council President have recommended their use.

“People are strongly encouraged to wear masks if they are in a public facing role such as the front reception desk and while serving in the dining facilities,” they said in a memo.

“People are also strongly encouraged to wear masks in areas within the building if they are unable to physically distance from others. This may include meeting rooms, the Chambers of both Houses and shared offices.”

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor has written back asking the presiding officers to make masks mandatory for all.

“The reality of a sitting day in the House of Assembly is approximately 50 people in a

single room – MPs, Clerks and attendants, MPs’ staff, Hansard staff and journalists –

at least for question time,” she said.

“It is not possible for all MPs to be socially distant, nor the Clerks.

“It is your obligation as Presiding Officers to keep people safe. We urge you to reconsider your determination ahead of next week, and to require that everyone in the parliament wears a mask (vaccinated or not).

“We are certain you do not want to feel responsible should an immunocompromised Member, their staff, or Parliament House staff contract Covid-19 in the workplace.”

No reply has yet been received.

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