Independent MP Meg Webb has revealed a list of individuals and organisations who faced potential adverse findings from the Tasmania’s Commission of Inquiry.
The list includes the Commissioner for Children and Young People, the Ombudsman and the CEO of the Integrity Commission.
In a statement, Webb said it was “startling clear” that the Commissioners had “identified serious and worrying obstacles that impeded their ability to conduct the inquiry as they felt appropriate” and claimed that government lawyers and legislation shortcomings shielded certain individuals from accountability.
Webb said the Commission’s Report cites Procedural Fairness Responses from the following eight entities:
▪ State of Tasmania
▪ Office of the Solicitor-General
▪ Department of Health
▪ Department for Education, Children and Young People ▪ Integrity Commission
▪ Tasmania Police
▪ Office of the DPP
▪ Teachers Registration Board
“Additional to these entities, 22 individuals are cited in the report as providing ‘Procedural Fairness Responses’ to the Commission, including statutory officers such as the Ombudsman, the CEO of the Integrity Commission, the Solicitor General and the Commissioner for Children and Young People,” she said.
“It is not clear whether providing a ‘Procedural Fairness Response’ indicates these entities and individuals were all intended subjects of an adverse finding or misconduct finding by the Commission, but thanks to apparent state interference in the Commission completing these processes, we are left with serious questions unanswered.”
She demanded that the government confirm which senior public servants faced potential adverse findings and whether they were involved in implementing the Commission’s recommendations.
“In order to move forward, Tasmanians must be confident in government agencies and our oversight watchdogs who may hold key roles in implementing the Commission’s recommendations – it is unacceptable for a cloud to be hanging over them.”
“The Tasmanian community requires this clarification; victims/survivors, whistleblowers and witnesses deserve it.”
The Commission of Inquiry was established in 2020 to investigate the Tasmanian Government’s responses to child sexual abuse in institutional settings and handed down its final report in September.
The Commission referred over 100 people to authorities but made only one finding of misconduct.
Changes to the Commissions of Inquiry Act in March 2021 created additional requirements for procedural fairness, which the Commission said made it difficult to hold individuals accountable.
