Nine govt workers stood down as ‘broad’ powers for investigators in Commission of Inquiry announced
Two more state government workers have been stood down amid sex abuse claims as a committee in charge of investigating child sexual abuse will be given unfettered powers. LATEST >>
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A STATE service employee from the North has been stood down pending an investigation into an allegation of sexual misconduct against a young person.
A spokeswoman from the state government said the allegation has been referred to Tasmania Police.
“Furthermore, an allegation relating to potential sexual abuse from a former state service employee from the state’s North has also been referred to Tasmania Police for assessment,” she said.
“Principles of natural justice and other legal considerations demand that further comment is not made whilst the investigations are underway.
“We also need to make sure that we fulfil our duty of care to our employees and do not prejudice investigations.
“It is important to note that being stood down is not an indication of wrongdoing. The presumption of innocence until proven guilty must be upheld.”
The latest two allegations brings the total of state service employees stood down or being investigated for sexual abuse to nine ( eight current and one former).
EARLIER: THE inquiry into abuse in state institutions will cost more than $10 million and could run for more than a year, Attorney-General Elise Archer says.
Ms Archer released the draft terms of reference for the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s Institutional Response to Child Sexual Abuse.
It was welcomed by Labor and the Greens, who said an independent President must be found for the inquiry.
She said she expects the inquiry to be headed by a President and two Commissioners and is expected to begin its work in the first quarter of 2021.
The terms of reference require the Commission to examine allegations of abuse in state institutions including government schools, the state health service and Ashley Youth Detention Centre.
The inquiry is expected to be based out of the Hobart Federal Court hearing rooms used by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse when it held local hearings.
Ms Archer said she expected the inquiry to have a staff of up to 20, including counsellors, and would provide an interim report after six months.
She said the inquiry would be thorough, and would inevitably unearth some confronting evidence, but the needs of victims would be paramount.
“Our government’s absolute priority is to ensure the safety and protection of children, and to work as quickly and efficiently as we can to make sure our systems are doing just that,” she said.
“The draft Terms of Reference give the Commission the ability to take any action needed in order to conduct its inquiry.
“This includes any alleged abuse within government institutions, private bodies, agencies, associations, clubs, institutions or any other group that provides, or has at any time provided, activities, facilities, programs or services of any kind that involves contact with children.”
Ms Archer said the inquiry was intended to run for a year, but the government would not cut its work short if more time was needed.
“It will be a matter for Commission to determine what resources it requires to fulfil the functions of inquiry.
“The government will provide those resources. Work is currently underway to identify suitable candidates … with a mixture of significant legal and child centric experience and expertise. “Obviously, it will be necessary for the commission to be fully supported by senior legal counsel legal offices, communications, media personnel and other support staff.”
Labor’s Shadow Attorney-General Ella Haddad welcomed the draft terms of reference.
“The terms of reference are quite rightly very broad,” she said.
“What’s important now is that people who are going to come forward to the Commission of Inquiry are provided with really good support to be able to tell their stories, to be encouraged to come forward and to know that they’ll be able to do that without ramifications.”
She said it was critical that those appointed to head the commission were independent — preferable from interstate.
Greens leader Cassy O’Connor also welcomed the release of the terms of reference.
“This is Tasmania’s chance to get it right for children and young people,” she said.,
“And we hope that the Commission of Inquiry is underway as soon as possible and that people are given their chance to have a voice and to know that they’re contributing towards a safer Tasmania for children and young people.
“This is going to be a hard and reasonably long journey and it will be victims, survivors and their families who carry the weight of this the heaviest of all.”
She said she hoped the inquiry would be able to do a thorough job given the time frame allocated.
The terms of reference will be finalised in the New Year after the inquiry President is appointed and gives feedback to the government. There is no formal public input process, although Ms Archer said she was happy to receive feedback.
Seventh state employee stood down over sex abuse
YET another state service employee has been stood down pending an investigation into an allegation of sexual abuse, bringing the current total to seven.
A government spokesman confirmed the employee from the north of the state was stood down on Wednesday, with the allegation referred to Tasmania Police.
“Principles of natural justice and other legal considerations demand that further comment is not made whilst the investigation is underway,” the spokesman said.
“We also need to make sure that we fulfil our duty of care to our employees and do not prejudice investigations.
“It is important to note that being stood down is not an indication of wrongdoing. The presumption of innocence until proven guilty must be upheld.”
Seven matters of sexual abuse of children in government facilities are now being investigated, including three staff members from the Ashley Youth Detention Centre who have been stood down amid hundreds of allegations of abuse — including child rape.
Another state service worker stood down over sex abuse claims
ANOTHER employee of Tasmania’s state service has been stood down amid an investigation into historical sexual abuse.
The worker, from the state’s North, was suspended on Thursday pending the investigation into the allegation, which was identified through the National Redress Scheme.
“The abuse is alleged to have occurred over a decade ago and the allegation has been referred to Tasmania Police for assessment,” a state government spokesman said.
“Principles of natural justice and other legal considerations demand that further comment is not made while the investigation is underway.
“We also need to make sure that we fulfil our duty of care to our employees and do not prejudice investigations.
“It is important to note that being stood down is not an indication of wrongdoing. The presumption of innocence until proven guilty must be upheld.”
It comes less than a week after another state service employee, also from the state’s North, was stood down over sexual abuse allegations.
Premier Peter Gutwein last month announced a commission of inquiry into child sexual abuse in government institutions.
The government has previously said it had adopted the majority of the 281 relevant recommendations of the commonwealth Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and had introduced laws to better protect children from abuse.
The commission of inquiry announcement follows three staff members from the Ashley Youth Detention Centre being stood down amid hundreds of allegations of abuse — including child rape.
Four matters into claims of sexual abuse of children in government facilities are now being investigated.
Other incidents include claims of abuse within the Education Department and a series of claims made against deceased Launceston General Hospital nurse James Griffin.
Opposition parties have accused the government of hiding behind the commission of inquiry to avoid answering questions or improving responses to child abuse.
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