Update on the Commission of Inquiry (29 Aug 2023)
Dear colleagues,
I write to you today, as the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings nears its conclusion, to outline the next steps.
I acknowledge that for many people, both within the Tasmanian State Service and more broadly across the community, the release of the Report will evoke strong emotions. I ask that if you are impacted by the Commission of Inquiry you utilise the many supports provided, including the services listed below.
Tomorrow, the Commission will hold its final hearing, which will be recorded and will be available on their website. The report will be delivered to Her Excellency the following day, on Thursday, 31 August 2023. In accordance with the Commissions of Inquiry Act, a copy of the report must be tabled in each House of the Parliament within 10 sitting days after the day on which it is received by the Governor. That will mean the report will be tabled no later than 28 September 2023.
The Premier is acutely aware of the interest in seeing the report and has undertaken to ensure that the report will be tabled on the next available sitting day once the requirements under the act are completed. Once tabled, the report will be made publicly available and published on the Commission of Inquiry website.
I am aware that there has been some conjecture in the media and other areas regarding redactions, and must emphasise that the legislation is very clear on what can be omitted. Acting on the advice of the Commission of Inquiry and the Executive Council, the Governor may decide to omit part of the Report if the public interest in its disclosure is outweighed by another consideration including public security, privacy of personal or financial affairs or the right of any person to a fair trial. Any omission will be clearly marked in the Report. This process is similar to processes for redacting sensitive information from reports of royal commissions and commissions.
When the report is tabled, the Premier will outline the Government’s initial response to the recommendations. In December, a more detailed Government response will be released, including details on how we will implement, monitor and report to the public on the recommendations.
The Report is extensive and it will contain some extremely confronting and upsetting content. Agency support networks remain in place, and can continue to be accessed if you require support in the coming months.
You can also access your agency Employee Assistance Programs, or a range of external support services are also available:
Lifeline
24/7 Crisis support: 13 11 14
A Tasmanian Lifeline - 8am-8pm, 365 days a year: 1800 98 44 34
Sexual Assault Support Service / Laurel House
24/7 Support provided by specialist counsellors: 1800 697 877 (1800 MY SUPPORT)
Relationships Australia Tasmania
Counselling, wellbeing information and referral
9am-5pm, Monday to Friday: 1300 364 277
In an emergency, always call 000.
A list of support services is also available on the Commission of Inquiry’s website.
Please know that your wellbeing remains a priority during this period. Let us support one another through these challenging times.
Finally, I want to acknowledge the strength and resilience of all of those affected by child sexual abuse, and to reassure them that as we await the final recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry, the Government remains steadfast in our commitment to keeping Tasmanian children and young people safer.
We are taking strong action to make our systems and services safer for our most vulnerable, and we will keep Tasmanians informed of the progress of our work through our new Keeping Children Safer website, which will be launchedshortly. We are also working towards a more trauma informed State Service with the commencement of trauma informed training in 2022, and the development of a trauma informed framework for the whole of Government.
Best wishes
Jenny Gale
Head of the State Service
Secretary, Department of Premier and Cabinet
29 Aug 2023