Dr WOODRUFF – I speak to you, Attorney-General, on behalf of a child sexual assault survivor who has the court‑nominated pseudonym of ZAB, and I have his permission to ask this series of questions.
In July this year, ZAB wrote to all leaders of political parties calling for an inquiry into Tasmanian government departments, museums and art galleries, and their dealings with artworks for the bankrupt estate of a convicted paedophile. ZAB’s abuser successfully divested his considerable collection of colonial paintings whilst he was in Risdon Prison and during court civil proceedings for damages that were being brought by his victim/survivor.
While ZAB won the civil case and was awarded $5.3 million in damages in 2021, because of the conduct of his abuser and the willingness, he says, of Tasmanian institutions to purchase artworks from a convicted paedophile during well‑publicised civil proceedings, no compensation monies have ever been paid to ZAB.
This is a very serious matter. ZAB wrote to you and wrote to the Premier and has not received a response. Cassy O’Connor MLC wrote to you on 11 September and has not received a response. My question is has the government initiated any investigation into why and how so many government departments, government‑supported foundations and state museums and galleries dealt with the art collector of this convicted paedophile while proceedings against him by victims before the Supreme Court of Tasmania were in place, 2016 to 2022? I will just note, I haven’t mentioned the paedophile’s name, but you know who I’m speaking about.
Mr BARNETT – Thank you for the question. Through you, Chair. It’s obviously a very serious matter that you’ve made reference to this morning. It’s also a complex matter. We’re giving it, through my department, very careful consideration. A response will be prepared and forwarded in due course, following that careful consideration. It’s very inappropriate to say anything more than that at this stage.
Dr WOODRUFF – Well, a few questions. Thank you, Attorney‑General. It must be said that without those institutions dealing with that paedophile’s art collection during civil proceedings, government‑funded or supported institutions, money would now be vested in the trustee of bankruptcy and would have been available for compensation for the victim. It is, as you say, a very serious matter.
In your consideration, first of all, will you please respond to ZAB immediately, because this person wrote to you as a victim/survivor, your government, on 14 July. No response at all is entirely inappropriate for a victim/survivor, entirely inappropriate, so an initial response would be much required.
Will you look at people who hold board positions of TMAG and Glover and others involved to look at their responsibility on these matters?
Mr BARNETT – Again, through you, Chair, to the honourable member. It’s a very serious matter that you’ve raised. I’ve indicated already that we’re looking into the matter. We’re taking it seriously. It is a complex matter with various parts of government where, obviously, consultation is required, I draw that to your attention. I don’t think I can add further to my earlier answer. I appreciate your interest and that of the person to whom you refer, and indicate that we take it seriously and will respond as soon as we possibly can.
Dr WOODRUFF – When? This has been going on – it’s been five months. No response. It’s pretty outrageous. Why won’t you?
CHAIR – Order. Dr Woodruff, you’ve had your two questions. Prof Razay.
