The Tasmanian government will deliver a formal parliamentary apology to families whose loved ones had body parts taken and displayed in a university museum without consent for more than four decades.
Health Minister Bright Archer told parliament on Tuesday that 177 human tissue specimens were retained without lawful authority between the 1950s and early 1990s.
The remains were taken during coronial autopsies and sent to the University of Tasmania’s RA Rodda Museum in Hobart, where they were publicly exhibited.
“To the family and friends of those individuals, we offer our deepest and most sincere apology,” Archer said.
She described the practice as “abhorrent” and a “profound breach of trust”.
A coroner’s report identified deceased forensic pathologist Dr Royal Cummings as primarily responsible for supplying specimens to the museum.
However, the coroner noted his predecessors and successors also engaged in the practice.
Archer said she had directed her department to review historical records and work with the university to identify any others who may have been involved.
“It is important for the families that we do what we can to investigate further,” she said.
The findings have been referred to Tasmania Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Archer confirmed the three current forensic pathologists employed by the department had no involvement in the historical matters.
She said rigorous processes under the Coroner’s Act 1995 now prevent such practices from occurring.
The formal parliamentary apology is planned for the first half of 2026, with families to be consulted on its development and invited to attend.
“While we cannot change the past, it is vitally important that we learn from what has happened and ensure that we do all that we can to hold those responsible to account,” Archer said.
The University of Tasmania has already issued a public apology acknowledging the hurt caused.
Many families first learned their relatives’ remains had been retained through a public notice earlier this year.
Labor MP Ella Haddad acknowledged the “unimaginable pain” caused by the revelations, sharing a de-identified account from a constituent who discovered his father’s name in the notice.
“Recognising my father’s name listed, I was shocked and disheartened, a feeling of hollowness pervaded me for some days. It was a second grieving period,” the constituent wrote.
She said it was “inconceivable” to think only one person was involved and commended the government for pursuing a parliamentary apology.
Braddon independent Craig Garland said the government’s early silence had forced families to approach multiple MPs and media outlets to be heard.
“For some, it reinforced the belief that something was being covered up,” he said.
“Families have told me they felt disrespected, disregarded and ignored after everything they had already suffered.”
Garland urged the government to ensure affected family members can attend the apology at no personal expense.
“An apology without listening, without understanding and without answers will be seen as little more than an empty gesture,” he said.
