Media release – Peter Gutwein, Premier; Elise Archer, Attorney-General & Sarah Courtney, Minister for Health, 3 November 2020
Update on independent investigation into serious allegations regarding former LGH employee
The Tasmanian Government has finalised and released the Terms of Reference for the independent investigation into the serious allegations regarding a deceased former employee of the Launceston General Hospital.
The outcomes will be released to the public and the investigation will report to the Attorney-General and the Minister for Health.
Maree Norton has been appointed to undertake the investigation.
Ms Norton has strong experience across a range of legal areas, and the Department of Justice will also provide administrative support for the conduct of the Investigation.
The Terms of Reference are now available at: https://www.justice.tas.gov.au/news_and_events/investigation-into-ths-child-sexual-abuse-allegations
Details regarding how members of the public will be able to provide information to the investigation will be outlined shortly.
We know this has been a very difficult time for many in our community, and we are committed to supporting anybody who comes forward with information.
We can assure the Tasmanian community the Government will take any action that is necessary, and any actions being taken will be communicated to our staff and also publicly.
We are committed to ensuring we have the policies, practices and procedures in place to protect Tasmania’s children and young people.
Available support services include:
1800 RESPECT
Laurel House (03) 6334 2740 (Launceston), (03) 6431 9711 (Burnie and Devonport)
Lifeline on 13 11 14
Sexual Assault Support Service (SASS) on 1800 697 877
Relationships Australia on 1300 364 277
Sarah Lovell MLC, Shadow Health Minister, 11 November 2020
Health Minister cannot answer serious questions on horrific LGH allegations
Critical questions about a lengthy gap between the revelation of horrific child sex allegations and the Liberal Government beginning a formal investigation cannot be swept under the carpet.
Shadow Health Minister Sarah Lovell said the Health Minister Sarah Courtney today failed to answer why the government did not act immediately once the allegations involving a former nurse at the Launceston General Hospital came to their attention a year ago.
Ms Lovell said Ms Courtney also did not answer crucial questions around what efforts the government had taken to identify potential victims at the centre of the allegations over the past year.
“Extremely serious, heartbreaking allegations have been made public about a former nurse at the Launceston General Hospital,” Ms Lovell said.
“The fact is these allegations have reached deep across the community and affected former patients and staff.
“The fact is Ms Courtney knew about these matters a year ago but did not act until last month to establish a formal inquiry.
“The fact is she cannot explain why action was not taken immediately.
“Additionally, she cannot say what lengths – if any – the government went to in trying to identify potential victims so that appropriate support can be provided. That is critical considering these allegation stretch back over two decades.
“It’s unacceptable. This is a deeply disturbing case which is being felt deeply in the community and involves truly abhorrent allegations.
“The Health Minister must at least make an effort to tell Tasmanians what the government has been doing about this matter for the past year and she has to provide adequate, legitimate answers to these vital questions.”
Media release – Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Justice spokesperson, 11 November 2020
Commission of Inquiry Must Investigate LGH and Ashley Youth Detention Centre
The allegations that many children were sexually abused by a nurse who worked at the Launceston General Hospital for 18 years have shaken many Tasmanians.
Today in Parliament, we asked the Minister responsible for Child Safety, Roger Jaensch, about concerns the same person was also employed as a nurse at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre for five months in 2017, and on the Spirit of Tasmania.
Minister Jaensch failed to recognise the concerns raised by the Greens, and echoed in the community, about the government investigation’s limited Terms of Reference. As they stand, those Terms of Reference would not be able to effectively scrutinise allegations of any improper actions at Ashley.
The government should establish a Commission of Inquiry to investigate institutional failings that enabled an abuser to remain in positions of trust for nearly two decades. A Commission would be afforded greater powers to examine the distressing allegations than the government’s investigation.
The government’s investigation into these devastating allegations is too restrictive in its focus on systems within the Tasmanian Health Service, and would not address cultural issues or individual actions or cases. A Commission of Inquiry would enable this matter to be properly, and openly, investigated with protections for witnesses and the power to collect evidence.
The Liberals must do right by the children who are, and have been, in government care. We urge them to put the community at ease, and establish a Commission of Inquiry with the authority to conduct a powerful, fearless and just investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse, not constrained to the LGH.
