Serious allegations of abuse should not have been allowed to slip through the cracks

 Serious allegations raised on 7.30 Report should have been investigated three years ago
 Petrusma now attempting to pre-determine the outcome of investigation
 Latest debacle involving Human Services Minister should send message to Premier
Serious allegations of abuse of disabled Tasmanians in residential care were first raised with Human Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma in 2014 but left uninvestigated.
Shadow Disabilities Minister Josh Willie said the shocking claims made on the ABC’s 7.30 Report last night showed due process was not followed by the Minister and her department and an investigation had only been started recently.
“These are horrific claims – claims of a disabled man being locked in a courtyard in winter, being restrained under furniture and being thrown into a pool,” Mr Willie said.
“Mrs Petrusma was aware of these allegations three years ago, she knew families were begging for help.
“One family in particular has described the situation their severely disabled son was placed in as ‘horror story stuff’ yet their cries for help went unanswered.
“The Minister can make no claim that these allegations were followed up at all, let alone in a timely or efficient manner, because the fact of the matter is the abuse allegations were never investigated.
“What’s also disturbing is that Mrs Petrusma’s office is now claiming there was no abuse because restrictive practices are allowed.
“That may be the case but restrictive practices need to follow strict guidelines and be well documented
“In this instance, it is alleged they were excessive.
“Once again – as she has done with allegations within the foster care sector involving two non-government providers – she is pre-determining the outcome of an investigation.
“Good service providers and good, dedicated people who work in this sector are being unfairly tarnished by the Minister’s woeful handing of on-going allegations and investigations.
“At the very least this should be sending a distinct message to the Premier that after so many mistakes and such uncontrolled mismanagement across her important portfolio, the Minister has shown on a convincing number of occasions that she is simply still not up to the job.”
Josh Willie MLC Shadow Minister for Disabilities