Sarah Courtney,Minister for Education
The safety of children is the highest priority for the Tasmanian Liberal Government, which is why we instigated the Independent Inquiry into the Department of Education’s Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and the Commission of Inquiry.
The matters in the Report go back decades, across Governments of all colours, but it has taken the current Government to take action by commissioning an independent inquiry and addressing its findings.
Labor had its chance when in Government to do the same, yet didn’t, and instead what we see from them now is reckless politicking and deliberate fear mongering regarding students in schools.
For the record, the Secretary of the Department of Education, Tim Bullard, made it publicly clear last week that immediate action had been taken in respect to any potential risks to children and young people as identified in the report.
The Secretary confirmed that a total of 32 records that related to potential historic allegations of child sexual abuse against current employees or relief staff have been identified and reviewed in detail, noting all matters have been referred to Tasmania Police
“Each of these records has also been reviewed in detail and a decision made as to whether matters need to be subject to further investigation or management action.
“As a result of that review, five employees have received a suspension from duty and a formal Code of Conduct investigation commenced on the basis that, although the matters were investigated at the time of the allegations being raised, those investigations were not undertaken in accordance with contemporary practice.
“On the basis of these Code of Conduct investigations being undertaken, two employees have been returned to work, with no evidence being found of sexual misconduct. Others remain underway with the employees still suspended from duty.
“Review of the remaining matters has identified that the matters were properly investigated at the time”.
It is important to note that every single allegation, and investigation relating to current employees, has been provided, in full, to the Commission of Inquiry.
Labor have reached a new low and need to stop spreading fear in the community and choosing to blindly ignore the facts about such a serious matter.
