Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government's Responses to Child Sexual Abuse

In 2020, a Commission of Inquiry was announced to investigate the responses of Tasmanian Government Agencies in relation to the management of allegations of child sexual abuse.

The Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings (the Commission) completed an investigation and handed its Report to the Governor of Tasmania, on 31 August 2023.

The Premier tabled the final report of the Commission in Parliament on 26 September 2023. The report is publicly available from the Commission’s website. More information is also available at Keeping Children Safe.

Recommendations

The Tasmanian Government has accepted all 191 COI recommendations. The Department of Health is the lead agency for implementing 24 of the COI recommendations, and continues to implement the 92 recommendations from the Child Safe Governance Review of the LGH and HR, as well as the8 recommendations of the LGH Community Recovery Initiative.

COI recommendations have specified implementation timeframes for delivery:

• Short-term (by 1 July 2024)
• Medium-term (by 1 July 2026)
• Long-term (by July 2029)

13 of the Department’s 24 recommendations have a short term delivery timeframe by 1 July 2024 and are on track as it stands.

View the implementation status for all Department of Health child safety related recommendations.

If you think you may need support, please reach out and visit the Keeping Children Safe website.

Everyone has the right to feel safe in our care.

It is always ok to speak up and we are listening.

Child Safeguarding Reforms and Recommendations 

To respond to Recommendation 15.1 of the Commission of Inquiry Report, the Department of Health has developed and implemented the following:

• Child Safeguarding reforms and Recommendations Policy Framework 2024-2029
• Child Safeguarding reforms and Recommendations Implementation Plan 2024-2029

These documents complement each other and provide the following information:

Child Safeguarding Reforms and Recommendations - Policy Framework 2024-2029

The Policy Framework outlines the background, context and details of the broader child safety reform and review environment within the Department, including the Independent Child Safe Governance Review of the LGH and HR, and the LGH Community Recovery Initiative.

The Policy Framework also details initiatives and progress already made by the Department of Health in improving child safeguarding, as well as documenting governance arrangements for the implementation of our suite of recommendations.

Child Safeguarding Reforms and Recommendations - Implementation Plan 2024-2029

The Implementation Plan outlines accountability, status, and timeframes for implementation of all Department of Health recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry Report and our other child safety reviews.

Professional Conduct

In line with Recommendation 15.13 of the Commission of Inquiry Report, the Department of Health has developed a Professional Conduct Policy (PCP) to ensure that all Department workers, contractors, sub-contractors, volunteers, and students understand what behaviours are unacceptable, including concerning conduct, misconduct, or criminal conduct, and their reporting obligations.

In line with the Department’s CARE values, the PCP sets out expectations for positive workplace behaviours and outlines the obligations of our people in keeping everyone safe from harm, particularly children and young people.

Statewide Complaints Management

To respond to Recommendation 15.16 of the Commission of Inquiry Report, the Department of Health has developed and implemented the following:

•    Statewide Complaints Management Policy
•    Statewide Complaints Management Framework
•    Simplified “5R’s” document

These documents complement each other and provide information on complaints management and resolution for complaints made to the Department of Health Tasmania.

It outlines how complaints are assessed/triaged for response, and the workflow of managing a complaint to an outcome/resolution, with a focus on Tier 1 complaints (those with the most risk).

The Statewide Complaints Management Oversight Unit (SMOU) works within this framework and policy with a focus on Tier 1 complaints, those which have significant risk or consequences. SCMOU also acts as a “one front door” approach for receiving and triaging complaints of any level, relating to the Department of Health Tasmania.

The SCMOU provides oversight for serious or complex complaints, including acting as a centralised escalation point for allegations of serious performance issues or misconduct by staff. The SCMOU can be contacted via email [email protected] or via phone at 6166 2374 or 6166 2377.

Support Person Policy

In line with Recommendation 15.14 of the Commission of Inquiry Report, the Department of Health revised its Chaperone Policy in December 2023, now called a Support Person Policy, to ensure patients are properly supported, particularly during intimate examinations. 

The Support Person Policy has just undertaken a 6-month review to incorporate feedback received through the implementation process. This revised policy is currently in the endorsement process and will be uploaded here soon.

Support

We are committed to being sensitive as we use the learnings from past wrongs to protect the rights of current and future generations of children and young people and keep them safe from harm.

For more information about the Commission of Inquiry please visit the Keeping Children Safe dedicated webpage, call 1800 093 758 between 9 am – 5 pm, Monday to Friday or email [email protected].

You may also wish to consider available support services, including:

• Sexual Assault Support Service Inc. - 1800 697 877
• Lifeline - 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue  - 1300 224 636
• 1800RESPECT - 1800 737 732
• Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467
• MensLine Australia - 1300 789 978

There are also a range of Work Health, Safety and Wellbeing supports and resources available at Health and Wellbeing Supports.