Victims worry early Tasmanian election would delay Commission of Inquiry into child abuse report

Advocates have urged the state government to ‘pledge’ the release of the Commission of Inquiry’s final report, amid concerns an early election will be called. What the Premier had to say >

Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Picture: Grant Viney

Any delay to the release of the Commission of Inquiry’s final report runs the risk of causing additional distress to victim-survivors, advocates say.

Responding to speculation that an early election might be on the cards, two whistleblowing witnesses have written to the government asking for reassurance.

The Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings is due to hand its final report to the government on August 31.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said no early election was being contemplated and the report would be tabled in parliament as scheduled.

Ashley Youth Detention Centre whistleblower Alysha and fellow Commission witness Jack Davenport have written to the state’s political leaders asking them to recommit to releasing the report by the end of the year, to implement its recommendations and to provide additional support for witnesses in case of a delay.

Former Department of Communities employee, Jack Davenport.

“We are writing to you in response to political, media and public speculation about an early election being called before the end of the year, and the very real impact this will have on the tabling, and therefore the public release, of the final report,” their letter says.

“There are real concerns that an early election may significantly disrupt the implementation of the Inquiry recommendations.

“We are calling for leaders of the Green, Labor and Liberal parties to pledge that the long-awaited Commission of Inquiry report will be tabled before the end of this year if an early election is called.”

Mr Davenport, who was a Greens’ candidate in Bass at the 2021 state election, said he was concerned that an early election could set back the timing of much-needed reforms.

“The political shenanigans and fortunes of the current government shouldn’t interfere with something as serious as a Commission of Inquiry, but that’s where party political navel-gazing has gotten us,” he said.

“We can’t stop a government imploding, but what we can do is call for definitive action from all politicians. When it comes to tackling child abuse, this really should be a no-brainer for people in power whatever their politics.”

Premier Jeremy Rockliff during question time in the Tasmanian parliament. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“Protecting all Tassie children, especially those under state care, must be beyond politics, it is that important.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the question was moot as “there will not be an early election.

“We expect the report to be delivered to us at the end of this at the end of August and then tabled in September in the Tasmanian parliament for full discussion.

“I’m very interested in the outcomes of the Commission of Inquiry’s work. I thank all that have been involved in that work and particularly, of course, the courage and bravery of the victim-survivors.”

Labor’s Josh Willie said his party was committed to seeing through the recommendations in the final report.

“We are absolutely committed to improving child safety and implementing the recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry,” he said.