‘We can do better’ Labor’s Rebecca White says amid sexual harassment claims
Labor’s Rebecca White says the party can do better at handling sexual harassment claims, as the woman who brought claims against her predecessor looked on. LATEST >>
Tasmania
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LABOR leader Rebecca White has denounced the state service’s handling of a sexual assault complaint at Ashley Detention Centre — while admitting the Labor party itself could do better at handling the issue.
Ms White, Greens leader Cassy O’Connor and independent MP for Clark Kristie Johnston all appeared beside sexual harassment complainant Alysha at a press conference on parliament lawns on Tuesday.
“Alysha’s story is incredibly powerful,” Ms White said, “I think this is incredibly brave to speak like she did today.
“But she’s right to call the Premier out for his comments that he made — and criticism of the Labor Party — at the same time as failing to provide a safe workplace for own employees.”
As Ms White spoke, the woman whose complaint brought down her predecessor stood in the background.
The Mercury understands Rachel Midson had been planning to attend the press conference in support of Alysha as a fellow survivor of sexual harassment, but was asked not to at the last moment.
A Labor spokesman denied it was at the party’s request.
Ms White acknowledged that the topic was a difficult one for Labor after the complaints against David O’Byrne.
The MP for Franklin left the parliamentary Labor Party after being accused by Ms Midson’s sister, Ms Johnston of multiple instances of sexual harassment under parliamentary privilege.
He has strenuously denied the claims and continues to sit as a Labor MP.
“There’s no doubt that the events that have occurred over the last few weeks, few months in the Labor Party have been incredibly distressing for women observing the practice of dealing with complaints handling — but also for the parties who’ve been involved directly in that process,” she said.
“I said that at the time and I still maintain the view that we can do better, we can do better to make sure we’ve got a safe culture in our organisation that ensures that people are safe at all times if they have a complaint that can raise that in confidence that, that it will be dealt with appropriately.
“It’s certainly my objective and I’m very driven to make sure that women in particular, are safe in the Labor Party, and that we demonstrate best practice when it comes to how we work as an organisation to support people to participate in the labour movement.
“I acknowledge that a lot of people think that we failed in this regard.”
The Derwent Valley branch of the Labor party has unanimously backed a motion calling for Mr O’Byrne to resign from parliament.
‘Drastic reform’: Complainant demands change following ‘sex doll’ slur
THE woman whose complaint about sexual harassment at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre has sparked a fresh inquiry says there must be significant and drastic reform to the way the state service handles cases.
Premier Peter Gutwein on Tuesday apologised, announced a fresh inquiry into the allegations and said he would meet with the woman on Wednesday, who asked the called Alysha.
She says she is staggered at how badly her complaint was handled.
“If being referred to as a Japanese f*** doll in a room full of my senior colleagues — and as senior staff member myself — does not constitute a breach of the State Code of Conduct, I cannot for the life of me understand what would,” she said.
“Hopefully Mr Gutwein can provide me some insight into how that determination was reached, because I can’t wrap my head around it.”
Alysha said she was still coming to terms with the events of the last 24 hours — after finding out her complaint had been rejected when it was revealed at a parliamentary estimates committee hearing.
“Yesterday was one of the most shocking days of my adult life … at the end of a process that has left me feeling quite objectified and exhausted,” she said.
WATCH ALYSHA’S PRESS CONFERENCE >>
“From where I’m standing after yesterday, at the end of a 22-month investigation I would dissuade people, honestly, if it was about their wellbeing and health and looking after themselves, the process that is currently in place is ridiculously harmful.
“And I understand fully why women feel like there is significant risk to their career and themselves by reporting these matters.”
And she said the handling of her complaint not only fell short of any reasonable standard — but she was subject to further retaliation.
“I had trusted that state service would prioritise my safety and a thorough, independent and timely investigation would ensue,” she said.
“Instead, I was told by a HR manager that I needed to work in the next office to the accused, because the person who I had reported for sexual harassment did not approve of me moving.
“Approximately six months after first reporting this, I was informed that my complaint had been substantiated to the point that it was now being treated as a possible breach of the state code of conduct and another investigation was submitted.
“I was prolifically bullied following reporting this.”
But she said she was told she could not know the outcome of her complaint because it was confidential.
Earlier, Alysha attended proceedings in the parliamentary estimates hearings where Premier
Peter Gutwein apologised personally for Monday’s announcement and promised a fresh inquiry will examine her claims.
“In terms of what occurred yesterday, with Alysha here in the chamber, I want to apologise for what was a misstep,” he said.
“I know the Secretary has reached out as well and provided an apology.
“I’ve spoken to [her] this morning, I will be meeting with her tomorrow.
“There will be an independent review conducted at arm’s length from government of the process that occurred here.
”I’d expect that to be completed within a period of 30 days. This has been around for a long period of time and I’d like to get a full understanding of where that matters is at.”
Fresh probe into Ashley Detention Centre ‘sex doll’ slur
PREMIER Peter Gutwein has apologised personally to a woman whose sexual harassment allegation was aired during a parliamentary hearing and says a fresh inquiry will examine her claims.
The woman, identified as Alysha, complained that she was referred to as a “Japanese f*** doll” during her employment at Ashley Detention Centre, and was subject to other instances of abuse.
But she only found out her complaint was dismissed when it was revealed in a parliamentary budget estimates committee hearing on Monday.
Mr Gutwein said he was sorry and would meet the complainant on Wednesday.
“In terms of what occurred yesterday, with Alysha here in the chamber, I want to apologise for what was a misstep,” he said.
“I know the Secretary has reached out as well and provided an apology.
“I’ve spoken to [her] this morning, I will be meeting with her tomorrow.
“There will be an independent review conducted at arm’s length from government of the process that occurred here.
”I’d expect that to be completed within a period of 30 days. This has been around for a long period of time and I’d like to get a full understanding of where that matters is at.”
Alysha is expected to speak to the media later today.
Southern Outlet demolition claims ‘reckless’
CLAIMS that 17 homes would be demolished to expand the Southern Outlet were “wrong and reckless”, Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson says — but he won’t reveal the real number.
The Minister told budget estimates committee hearings as few homes as possible would be affected.
“I’m not prepared to put a number on it today … but my advice is it is significantly fewer than 17 homes,” Mr Ferguson said.
The committee heard the project was in part inspired by a major traffic jam in 2015 which “gridlocked the city” and project had been treated as an engineering challenge.
Infrastructure Tasmania chief Martin Blake said talks were underway with 14 landowners, the vast majority of whom would lose “slivers off their property,”.
But he admitted communication with residents had been mishandled.
“Before the election, we went and spoke to some residents about it and what was said was, your property may be potentially impacted — that was the message to 17 of the landowners,” he said.
“There’s no doubt that that could have been done a lot better and we’ve said to the residents and the Minister himself said we would, in hindsight, if we were doing it again and we would have done it a lot differently.
“When the consultants originally looked at that widening, they were looking at it very much from a traffic engineering point of view and what you could do there almost as if it was some of the traffic engineering outcomes were perhaps the predominant concern.
“In looking at it now, we can definitely do that a different way and that’s what we’ve been talking about with the residents at the moment.”
The committee was also told the state government had received no interest from tenderers to build a joint state-federal $18.8m road project.
The Lyell Highway upgrade between Queenstown and Strahan was to include stopping bays, passing lanes and curve widening.
It was supposed to begin in late 2021 and be completed by late 2023.
But General Manager of Roads Tasmania Denise McIntyre said nobody was interested in doing the work — largely because construction firms were too busy over the coming summer construction season.
Gutwein reveals the state’s ‘Toxic’ branding headache
THE publication of a book critical of the Tasmanian aquaculture industry by award-winning author Richard Flanagan was “quite challenging” for the state’s efforts to brand itself as a clean and green food producer, Premier Peter Gutwein says.
Mr Flanagan’s book Toxic painted an unflattering picture of the expanding industry to an national and international audience.
During parliamentary budget estimates hearings on Tuesday, Mr Gutwein said he didn’t want to see the salmon industry suffering the same fate as the forestry industry.
“It is challenging when somebody with the profile of Richard Flanagan makes the comments that he’s made and difficult to manage in a public sense,” Mr Gutwein said.
“But when these things happen obviously there is some brand damage but we do need to ensure that as we move forward that we send clear signals.
“I’ve had a conversation with Richard himself, to understand his views and where he’s at on matters and obviously we’re engaged with the salmon industry as well and those discussions continue,” the premier said.
“I think it’s fair to say and I’ve said this publicly, what I don’t want to see is this industry being framed up or cause the same sort of challenges that we had in terms of the forestry industry some 10 or 15 years ago.”
Brand Tasmania CEO Todd Babiak told the committee dissent about environmental issues was part of the state’s DNA.
“Our research show’s it’s not unusual for Tasmanians to push each other to better, it’s very clear that we care about protecting the environment, we care about safe, high-quality products and Richard Flanagan is part of the Tasmanian brand,” he said.
Mr Gutwein told Legislative Councillors that on his initial consideration, the state’s would be unlikely to oppose the takeover of Huon Aquaculture by Brazilian-owned JBS — which is subject to approval by the Foreign Investment Review Board.
“The question that we will be asked is whether or not this takeover, or its purchase of shares is in the national interest,” he said.
“JBS have a strong footprint in this country, on the eastern seaboard as well as having operations here they deal with some of our finest products in terms of the meat that we produce.
“It will be an interesting question for state Treasury to answer for FIRB.
“It would be hard to argue that on the basis of JBS has a strong footprint in both the state and across the country that it’s not in the national interest for them to purchase or be allowed to purchase the shares in this particular company, but I don’t have any advice on that at this stage.
Dark Mofo receives funding for three more years
DarkLab’s popular winter festival won’t disappear any time soon with new funding secured for three years comprising about a third of the government’s iconic events fund.
Hospitality and Events Minister Sarah Courtney has confirmed at Tuesday’s Parliamentary Budget Estimates hearing Dark Mofo will receive $7.5 million over three years.
The funding comprises more than a third of the government’s $21.5 million iconic events funding, which will also support the Australian Wooden Boat Festival, Mona Foma, Targa Tasmania, Festivale, and Junction Arts Festival.
“Dark Mofo has been a cultural beacon in Tasmania since its inception in 2013, bringing locals out of hibernation and attracting visitors to the State in the traditionally quiet winter months,” Ms Courtney said.
“The festival has demonstrated year on year growth, providing a significant injection for not only Tasmania’s tourism and hospitality industries but also for local service providers for contracts relating to production, construction and labour hire.”
Tourism Tasmania will also continue supporting marketing efforts for Dark Mofo.
The festival received some 19,000 visitors in 2019, injecting more than $20 million into the visitor economy.
Festival attendees stayed in the state for an average of 5.3 nights and typically spent $200 each night.
Third booster Covid-19 vaccines ‘likely’ to come to Tasmania ‘within coming months’ - September 6
A third booster jab of Pfizer or AstraZeneca could be on the horizon to prevent breakthrough infections, Public Health director Dr Mark Veitch has said.
Dr Veitch shared his thoughts on a third vaccine for Tasmanians at the Parliamentary Budget Estimates hearing after Greens member Dr Rosalie Woodruff asked Health sector leaders how they could tackle the issue of waning immunity against Covid-19.
“There is some evidence that in some settings breakthrough infections are beginning to occur,” Dr Veitch said.
“I think it is likely that in the first instance our health authorities will be recommending a booster vaccination.”
He said that recommendation could come “in the coming months”.
Dr Veitch believed the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation would provide clarity on third booster shots as more information and data was gathered from various countries.
Dr Woodruff said peer-reviewed literature from countries like the United Kingdom and Israel indicated vaccine efficacy was deteriorating over time in countries which had received their vaccines sooner than Australia.
Premier Peter Gutwein recently said border restrictions could begin easing once Tasmania reached an 80 per cent vaccination rate.
Deputy Labor Leader Anita Dow asked the government how many cases or deaths per day Tasmania could expect to see if the Delta variant entered the state.
Dr Veitch said on behalf of the Minister the number of cases would depend on the number of vaccinated Tasmanians.
He said the United Kingdom was seeing about 33,000 cases a day, or 40 cases per 100,000 people each day.
Dr Veitch estimated in a place the size of Tasmania, that rate would amount to 200 cases per day.
“I don’t know if that’s an over-estimate or underestimate,” he said.
“Tasmania doesn’t have the same population mix or distribution as the UK. We have our own naturally spread-out demography.”
Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the Delta variant of Covid-19 “will hit our shores at some point in time”.
“The best way to protect ourselves against very serious health consequences and also protect our hospital systems is to get vaccinated,” he said.
Mr Rockliff recently said all health care workers will be required to be vaccinated.
Department of Health secretary Kathrine Morgan-Wicks said at the Estimates hearing the government was working with stakeholders, including unions, this week to clearly defining which health care workers would be effected.
She said individuals with exemptions who “don’t have the luxury of being able to get the vaccine” would not be impacted, but those who chose not to get the jab could be redeployed or terminated from employment.
“We will work with every single individual,” Ms Kathrine Morgan-Wicks said.
RHH emergency department to be ‘super-sized’
Twenty-five new emergency department beds will come to the Royal Hobart Hospital by the end of 2022 in a bid to fix the state’s burdened health system.
Department of Health secretary Kathrine Morgan-Wicks said emergency rooms in Tasmania and across the country had experienced a huge leap in presentations.
Last financial year the RHH recorded 72,325 presentations compared to 61,743 presentations in 2019-20.
Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff said these figures prompted an ED overhaul over the coming 15 months which would meet emergency demand until 2035.
“Demand is increasing, complexity is increasing, and that’s why it’s very pleasing that we are bringing forward, supersizing if you like, our emergency department not only in terms of our 25 beds but also the footprint as well,” he said.
Ms Morgan-Wicks said the new expansion was greater than previously budgeted plans to cater for “social distancing and the greater areas required for our treatment spaces”.
The old maternity unit will be refitted with 25 beds, while other works will transform RHH Ward 3A to add 24 general medicine beds this financial year.
The vaccination clinic operating out of 3A will move to the CBD clinic location in October so the works can commence.
Ms Morgan-Wicks said the changes would improve access and flow and allow for a higher volume of patients, while collaborating with GPs and other community health providers would aim to reduce the number of presentations.
The works come under the $200 million RHH stage two redevelopment, which will also include works in A Block, refurbishments in J Block for inpatient services, and expand ICU capacity.
Hydro Tasmania CEO announces resignation
HYDRO Tasmania’s CEO Evangelista Albertini has resigned, citing personal reasons, after a year in the job.
Mr Albertini’s immediate departure was revealed by Premier Peter Gutwein in parliamentary Budget Estimates hearings this morning and confirmed in a statement by the government business enterprise.
Chairman Grant Every-Burns said Mr Albertini had made a very significant contribution to Hydro Tasmania.
“Mr Albertini has been a passionate advocate for Tasmania and the role Hydro Tasmania plays in the Tasmanian community and economy.”
Mr Gutwein thanked Mr Albertini for his contribution.
”Mr Albertini has also held the executive roles at Hydro of Chief Asset Manager and Investment Officer, and Chief Operations Officer, where he has been instrumental in helping to position Hydro for its future in a rapidly transforming national energy environment,” he said.
He denied suggestions there was anything other than personal reasons behind the departure.
Opposition leader Rebecca White said it was curious the CEO had departed at the same time as having major disagreements with the government's energy policy.
“It seems a coincidence that the CEO of Hydro has today announced his resignation at the same time the premier has set up a new agency to deal with renewable energy investment in the state and also stated on the public record that he disagrees with Hydro when they say there is no energy available at any price which was what was reported to have been said to someone who was looking to invest in hydrogen here in the state,” she said.
Ian Brooksbank, Executive General Manager Finance and Strategy will act as Hydro CEO until a permanent appointment is made.
Detention centre worker’s sex slur complaint dismissed
A public servant who says her boss referred to her as a “Japanese **** doll” has found out her complaint has been dismissed from a parliamentary hearing.
Labor and the Greens pursued to woman’s case with Premier Peter Gutwein during parliamentary budget estimates hearings today.
The Ashley Youth Detention Centre worker alleged that her boss had made the comment in front of a group of people. She also complained of being assaulted in a separate incident.
An investigation has been underway for 18 months.
Department of Premier and Cabinet secretary Jenny Gale told the committee the woman’s complaint had been examined and no misconduct had been found.
Labor leader Rebecca White said it was an extremely poor way for the woman to find out the
outcome of the inquiry — and that she hadn’t been believed.
The committee also heard the woman had been told there was nothing that could be done to provide her with a safe workplace.
Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said the woman’s complaint was detailed and credible and the person complained about had been promoted.
“An investigation has told this woman she’s lying,” she said.
“What faith can women in the State Service have if they come forward with complaints of sexual harassment in the workplace, of inappropriate behaviour in the workplace, what confidence can they have that there won’t be a whitewash?”.
Mr Gutwein said he would look into the matter, but would not act as “judge, jury and executioner”.
“Obviously there are matters we need to review and consider and we will progress those matters as soon as we are able,” Mr Gutwein said.
“In terms of this particular matter … we will review the circumstances at the first available opportunity.”
“This is a dreadful set of circumstances very disturbing.”
Mr Gutwein said it was “unfortunate” the outcome of the case had been revealed publicly before the woman was herself informed and said he was open to meeting with her.
BUDGET ESTIMATES: Push to move government online
TASMANIA’S State Service could become more decentralised and more digital under a new plan to transform government service delivery.
Premier Peter Gutwein tabled the final report of the independent Review of the
Tasmanian State Service in parliamentary budget estimates hearings this morning.
The review, by former secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Ian Watt, makes 77 recommendations as part of a three- to five-year plan to transform and update the state’s public service
It aims to strengthen leadership and accountability, improve efficiency and service delivery and make the public sector more “capable, agile and high-performing”.
“The Tasmanian State Service is held back by its current design. It is too siloed and too rigid in structure,” the report says.
“It has limited capability in many areas and it finds it difficult to share capability
across the service. Like most public services, it is often too risk averse and has
compounded process and red tape to attempt to manage risk.
“Most of the changes recommended in the Final Report are not new. Many have
been tried, tested and successfully implemented in other jurisdictions.”
Among the reforms recommended is turning Service Tasmania into a single
“single agent of digital service delivery in Tasmania” which would provide
access to state government services through “a single integrated digital experience”.
And it calls for an end to paper-shuffling — “that the Tasmanian State Service progressively eliminate ‘manual only’ business processes, and that the government fund a small, centrally funded resource to drive the digitalisation of existing business processes.”
The report also recommends that heads of government agencies provide advice about how to create jobs outside of Hobart
It notes that one of the advantages of being out-of-date was that the Tasmanian State Sector could learn from how other jurisdictions did things better.
“The benefit of being a late adopter is the opportunity to implement the best
available ideas. That reduces the risk of making important changes.”
Originally due to be handed down in May, the final report of the review was delayed by the Covid pandemic.
Public sector unions raised concerned at the time of the interim report in October last year that there had been a lack of meaningful consultation with the public sector workforce.
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