The release of Part A of the independent Woolcott Review has prompted responses from Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff and independent MLC Meg Webb.
Documented facts include Woolcott’s finding that all matters raised by the Commission of Inquiry have been identified by government, acceptance of all 191 recommendations, and significant improvements in complaint handling and child safety systems. There is a broad political consensus on the urgency of transformative reforms and the need for immediate implementation.
Media release – Jeremy Rockliff, Premier, Tasmanian Government, 4 November 2025
Independent Report of the Woolcott Review Released
Part A of former Australian Public Service Commissioner Peter Woolcott AO’s independent report has been tabled in Parliament.
The Woolcott Review forensically looked at the actions of government agencies, responses to information and concerns raised by the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings.
Woolcott has found that all matters raised by the Commission of Inquiry have been identified by the Tasmanian Government.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said our Government committed to the most expansive reform program in Tasmania’s history when it accepted all 191 recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry report.
“Since 2023, we have continued to demonstrate that we are delivering the recommendations to keep children safe,” Rockliff said.
Woolcott’s finding provides confidence to the Tasmanian community when it comes to the Government identifying and taking action against State Service employees who breached the code of conduct related to child sexual abuse.
Rockliff welcomed Woolcott’s observations in relation to the significant improvements made to the handling of complaints regarding State Service employees and officers.
These improvements include:
- Monthly routine disclosures on child sexual abuse matters;
- The delivery of an updated Employment Direction No 5;
- Establishment of the Shared Capability and Centralised Investigations unit;
- Establishment of the role and functions of the Independent Child Safety Reform Implementation Monitor;
- Tabling a bill to strengthen and expand the functions of the Commission for Children and Young People;
- Ongoing improvements to the Registration to Work with Vulnerable People through amendment bills; and
- The delivery of the Change for Children Strategy.
The strength of the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act 2023 and the Office of the Independent Regulator were highlighted in the independent report.
“It is pleasing to know this legislation is operating as intended and improving the safety of children through additional oversight of complaints,” Rockliff said.
“There is more work to be done to ensure the safety of Tasmanian children and young people in our institutions, and the Government is committed to this.
“I extended my sincere appreciation to Mr Woolcott for his work and his extensive information collection, analysis and stakeholder engagement.”
A request from Woolcott to split the report into two parts was accepted by the Government in October.
The first and major part of the report has been released today and focuses on disciplinary matters, employment frameworks and the culture in which these operate.
The second part of Woolcott’s report will be completed prior to the end of the year. It will provide a considered view of regulatory oversight arrangements and their intersection with the justice system.
The Tasmanian Government’s response to the Woolcott Review report will be considered and released after the final part of the review is received later this year.
The Woolcott Review final report is available on the Keeping Children Safe website.
Media release – Rosalie Woodruff MHA, Greens Leader, 4 November 2025
Greens Welcome Woolcott Review and Recommendations
The Tasmanian Greens welcome the release of Part A of the Woolcott Review and strongly support its recommendations.
Through the years-long Commission of Inquiry’s review into child sexual abuse in government institutions, and its aftermath, it has been obvious there are major roadblocks to holding government staff accountable when they do the wrong thing. We’ve seen lengthy investigations into state servants accused of misconduct, with the subject of the investigation stood down on full pay for years. People who engaged in clearly unacceptable conduct have been able to get away with it due to gaps in legislation and policy.
The Woolcott Review is crucial because it lays out a plan to fix the problems highlighted by the Commission of Inquiry process. It recommends necessary and transformative reforms that collectively will ensure that when people in government institutions engage in misconduct, they are held accountable.
The Greens warmly thank Peter Woolcott AO and Radha Thomas for their work on the review. It was forensic, diligent and consultative.
Given the importance of the Woolcott Review’s recommendations, and the clear recent examples of the problems they are designed to fix, we urge the Government to prioritise this work and make sure implementation begins immediately.
Media release – Meg Webb MLC, Independent Member for Nelson, 4 November 2025
Final Report of CoI Independent Woolcott Review Welcome
Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb today welcomed the tabling of the Final Report-Part A of the independent Woolcott Review into actions taken in response to the information and concerns raised by the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings.
Webb was instrumental in securing this important independent review which the Premier, Jeremy Rockliff, moved to establish following a Legislative Council vote on her motion in November 2023.
“The long awaited independent Woolcott Review has confirmed many of the fears held by victims, survivors and whistleblowers that the State’s key government departments were woefully unprepared to respond appropriately to the Commission of Inquiry findings and recommendations,” Webb said.
“The Woolcott Review provides a scathing indictment on the lack of preparedness by government to take the necessary action following the CoI’s Final Report, failings which were compounded by identified systemic failings from the top down.
“The Woolcott Review found systemic accountability settings have not sufficiently changed post-COI. Further, there is a need for ongoing improvement in employment frameworks, disciplinary processes, and the culture of the State Service.
“Despite some improvement due to recent departmental leadership changes, the Woolcott Review highlights the need for serious reforms to drive necessary cultural change throughout government and the public sector.”
Webb said a key recommendation to driving much needed cultural reform is for all elements of the State Service Code of Conduct to apply at all times.
“Many of those involved with the CoI, either as victim/survivors, whistleblowers or other witnesses know what a damaging loop-hole the current Code of Conduct provided to too many too often.
“I also welcome the Woolcott Review’s recommendation that a Commissioner of the State Service be established.
“I urge the Rockliff government to provide unequivocal endorsement of this significant and timely independent Woolcott Review.”
Webb noted the Woolcott Review is expected to release Part B of its Final Report later this month.
Tasmanian Times (TT) is a community-based news and current affairs service covering the island state of Tasmania. It exists to provide a diverse presentation of Tasmanian issues. TT creates and supports independent media content utilising the best of modern technologies and tried-and-true practices of public-interest journalism.
Support us in expanding our coverage and developing new content by and for Tasmanians.
New initiatives on the way include … what our contributors and readers suggest! Please get in touch with your suggestions.
