The Greens welcome the Premier’s commitment his government will accept all five recommendations of the independent Weiss Review. These must be implemented in full, and without delay.
The Commission of Inquiry and the Weiss Review make it plain that heinous crimes, serious misconduct, and grave mistakes have been made by senior police and public officials, causing devastating and lifelong trauma. Justice must be served, and our institutions strengthened to keep children and young people safer.
The Greens have long called for an Integrity Commission with fangs and now, finally, we see Premier Rockliff accept the recommendation to amend the Commission of Inquiry Act 2009. The Government needs to fast-track this recommendation to strengthen the Integrity Commission’s powers. Following that, the Police Minister needs to refer the Reynolds matter, and all available evidence, to the Integrity Commission for a complete investigation.
When we called for this review, we flagged that coercive powers would be required to properly investigate these serious matters. Ms Regina Weiss herself points to the importance of needing such powers to get to the truth in cases such as child grooming and sexual abuse. This is a crucial amendment to the Act.
As well as introducing legislation, funding for the Integrity Commission needs to be sufficiently bolstered so it can perform its tasks without compromise. Significant extra funding must be allocated in the September Budget.
A redress scheme for victim-survivors must also be allocated in the Budget. For too long victim-survivors and whistleblowers have been given lip-service, promises that have only serve to kick the can down the road. This is the end of the road, and its time the Rockliff government delivered on its promises.
For all those who were or are victims of Paul Reynolds, and for the many Tasmanians traumatised by the horrific acts of a once trusted and lauded police officer, it’s crucial we see the Weiss Report recommendations implemented this year.
