Jenny Gale, Head of the State Service, message to all staff

Commission of Inquiry Report Release (10 Aug 2023)

Dear Colleagues

Today in Parliament the Premier gave an update on the next steps associated with the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings.

The Commission will provide its final Report to the Governor on 31 August, but there are a number of steps before the Report is published in late September.

The Premier outlined details of the Governor’s role in the process, which includes reviewing the Report before it can be publicly released. The Report will be tabled in the House of Assembly on or before 28 September, and made publicly available on the Commission of Inquiry’s website: https://www.commissionofinquiry.tas.gov.au/.

In 2022, the Premier committed to implementing all of the recommendations of the Commission. Once the Report has been tabled, the Premier will further outline the Government’s response to the Report.

We know that this Report will deliver comprehensive and significant recommendations for reform – and following its release, time will be needed to develop a plan to deliver meaningful change in a structured and strategic way.

In December, Government will release its detailed response which will be the framework to implement, monitor and report on all of the Commission’s recommendations.

You can access the Premier’s full statement here.

The Government response will detail the program of work to build on what we have already commenced, to keep Tasmanian children safer, particularly in our government institutions. This new work will complement the reforms already underway as part of the Government’s interim response to the Commission of Inquiry. All departmental Secretaries are united in our commitment to do everything we can to strengthen the safeguarding of children and young people.

I echo the Premier’s words of acknowledgement that the release of the Commission’s final report will have a strong impact on the community, individuals, victim-survivors and their families and friends, and Tasmanian State Service employees. A dedicated team has been established in the Department of Premier and Cabinet to work across government agencies, in partnership with specialist services and the community sector, to ensure appropriate supports are available for people affected by the Commission’s work when the Report is released. Agencies will continue to work with their own employees to ensure they have appropriate supports.

If you need support now, please don’t hesitate to seek it out, either within your Agency, or from one of the following external services:

I will continue to keep you updated on next steps in relation to the Commission and implementation of its recommendations.

I will end with the message that it is always okay to speak up if you have any concern in relation to child safety. Please see the new website tellsomeone.tas.gov.au for information on how to keep children safe, who to contact if you need help, as well as information on the signs of sexual abuse and grooming. If a child is in immediate danger, dial 000.

Best wishes

Jenny Gale Signature block
Jenny Gale
Head of the State Service
Secretary, Department of Premier and Cabinet
10 Aug 2023