Media release – HACSU Communications, 3 February 2026
HACSU Members at Ashley Youth Detention Centre to Have a 2-Hour Stop-Work Action Today Over the Safety and Staffing Crisis
Members of the Health and Community Services Union (HACSU) at Ashley Youth Detention Centre will take a 2-hour stop-work action on Tuesday 3 February, due to ongoing safety, security, and staffing failures at AYDC.
HACSU regularly meets with the Department to raise serious issues reported by members and to seek clarity about changes underway, particularly in relation to the proposed new detention facility and what this will mean for current staff. Despite more than six months of discussions, workers remain without certainty, protections, or an industrial agreement governing the transition.
Key concerns include the requirement for current staff to reapply for roles at the new facility with no guarantee of ongoing employment, the decision to build only one facility instead of two as recommended by the Commission of Inquiry, ongoing uncertainty around proposed roster changes, and serious risks associated with understaffing, training gaps, and facility security.
Recent serious incidents have reinforced fears that staffing shortages, inexperience, and lack of staff safety are placing workers at risk and adding unsustainable pressure to existing staff, often preventing workers from taking basic entitlements such as meal breaks.
HACSU State Secretary Robbie Moore said workers had reached a breaking point.
“This stop work action is about safety and respect at work, plain and simple,” Mr Moore said.
“When a workplace is understaffed, under-resourced, and unsafe, workers have no choice but to stand together and demand change.”
“Our members are taking this action to protect themselves, their colleagues, and the young people in their care,” he said.
“The workers want the department to fix the staffing, fix the safety, and treat workers with respect.”
HACSU members at Ashley Youth Detention Centre will take part in this joint two-hour stop-work action with CPSU.
Workers across all roles, including security, youth workers, cooks, administrative staff, and others, will stand together to say enough is enough.
Media release – Cecily Rosol MP, Greens Children and Young People Spokesperson, February 2026
Ashley Failures Seriously Concerning
Reports from HACSU that there are ongoing safety, security and staffing failures at Ashley Youth Detention Centre raise serious concerns for the children detained there.
The Commission of Inquiry exposed disturbing stories of young people abused in AYDC. 191 recommendations were made by the Inquiry to ensure the safety of children in the state’s care.
But two years since the Commission of Inquiry, many recommendations have not yet been implemented by the Liberal Government. Ashley remains open, despite the recommendation that it should be closed as soon as possible.
The Greens continue to hear of disturbing treatment of young people in Tasmanian institutions. Issues being raised by workers around safety, security and staffing failures only heighten concerns for the children still detained in Ashley.
The Liberal Government must ensure that children under their care are safe. They must progress with recommendations made by the Commission of Inquiry, including closing Ashley urgently.
Media release – Jess Greene MP, Shadow Minister for Children & Young People, 3 February 2026
Ashley Industrial Action highlights Government Failure on Youth Crime and COI Recommendations
Tasmanians need a youth justice system they can have confidence in, one that keeps the community safe and actually reduces reoffending.
The industrial action planned by staff at Ashley Youth Detention Centre today goes to the heart of that concern. Their concerns are about safety, for young people, for staff, and for the community.
What I’m hearing consistently is that Ashley remains unsafe, particularly in the evenings, when incidents are more likely and staffing ratios matter most. When there aren’t enough trained staff on the floor, risks escalate and control breaks down.
Tasmanians want accountability in the youth justice system, but they also expect the Government to provide the basic conditions that make safety and rehabilitation possible. Ignoring workforce concerns does the opposite.
This exposes a deeper failure by the Liberal Government. The Commission of Inquiry was unequivocal: Ashley must close. It hasn’t. And while it remains open, the Government has failed to ensure workers and young people are safe.
Tasmanians are frustrated. They see youth crime playing out in their communities, while the Government delays reform and dismisses warnings from frontline workers.
Media Release – Cecily Rosol MP, Greens Health Spokesperson, 16 February 2026
Fair Deal Needed for HACSU Workers
The Greens stand with HACSU members taking industrial action over the Rockliff Government’s failure to provide a fair deal for pay and conditions. The Liberals need to step up and engage in real negotiations with health and community sector workers.
Industrial action is a last resort, but HACSU workers have been driven to it by the Liberal Government. Workers have been waiting for months for the Liberals to seriously engage in pay and conditions negotiations. It’s no wonder they’re fed up.
Health and community sector workers literally save lives every day, and work in tough conditions to care for Tasmanians in need. Things are only getting worse under the Liberal Government, and it’s time they stepped up and provided real solutions.
Workers in these sectors, and the Tasmanians who rely on them, deserve better. The Rockliff Government need to give health and community service workers the respect they deserve and negotiate in good faith to improve pay and conditions.
