Dr WOODRUFF question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
The compensation payout to the courageous and inspiring Katrina Munting, who is with us here today in the Chamber, is only the start of justice for victim/survivors of child sexual abuse in Tasmanian institutions. We understand the well-deserved compensation and liability resulting from the commission of inquiry – including the Ashley Youth Detention Centre class action – could be many hundreds of millions of dollars. That is a debt that Tasmanians must pay.
Mr Saul Eslake’s financial assessment of state finances notes that the costs of meeting claims made by abuse survivors are likely to be well in excess of the funds your government has allocated. How much has your government set aside for compensation payouts? Or are you intending – as Ms Munting has indicated happened to her – to fight victim/survivors tooth and nail through the courts, prolonging their pain and the ultimate cost to Tasmanians?
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the member for the question. I acknowledge Ms Munting in the Chamber today, and her courage. On behalf of all victim/survivors, we thank you for that. I greatly appreciate the time you spent with me to allow me to further appreciate and understand the trauma of your circumstances and your horrific lived experience.
The Ashley Youth Detention Centre civil claims class action is presently scheduled. I am advised mediation commenced on 11 June, and that both parties agreed to participate in the mediation at an early stage. Mediation provides that trauma-informed process for survivors.
The state is taking advice from the Office of the State Litigator and its external legal team as to the appropriate conduct of the matter, having careful regard to trauma-informed practice, the model litigant rules and the litigation guidelines.
The state, through its agencies, is treating the conduct of class action with the utmost respect and priority. A dedicated team of people is working across multiple agencies and the private sector to bring about an appropriate resolution for all involved. This includes legal practitioners for the class action members. Given the ongoing legal proceedings, it is not appropriate to comment in more detail at this time. However, I respect the member’s intention in asking the question.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Dr WOODRUFF – A supplementary question, Speaker?
The SPEAKER – I will hear the supplementary.
Dr WOODRUFF – My supplementary is the question I asked that the Premier did not answer. How much has your government set aside for compensation payouts, recognising that it will be hundreds of millions of dollars over years, and will this be in the forward Estimates?
The SPEAKER – I call the Premier, but recognise the ongoing legal discussions.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Thank you, honourable Speaker. I appreciate where the question is coming from and your desire for answers, and I appreciate that on behalf of victim/survivors as well.
Dr Woodruff – Saul Eslake noted that it was a gap.
Mr ROCKLIFF – I will repeat what I said before, that given the legal proceedings in relation to that matter, and they are ongoing, it is not appropriate for me to comment in more detail at this particular time.
