Dr WOODRUFF question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
We spent two days scrutinising the Government's response to the commission of inquiry's report. We understand it is an enormous task and most ministers and their agencies appear to be progressing work in good faith, albeit with unneeded delays in areas. The glaring exception is minister Jaensch, who has responsibility for Education, Youth Justice and out-of-home care. He has been dishonest; he misrepresented the words and intentions of the commission of inquiry; he shows no capacity to listen to or engage with stakeholders and he delays on action and reform. Worst is that he denies the reality that children in Ashley and out-of-home care are not safe and are at 'live and present current risk of child sexual abuse'.
Based on minister Jaensch's performance this week, it is clear he is incompetent and incapable of fulfilling the recommendations of the commission of inquiry. Will you remove the blight who stands in the way of cultural change that is Roger Jaensch? Will you remove him as Minister for Education, Children and Youth? If you will not, will you accept responsibility for his inevitable failings?
Mr SPEAKER - The member's time has expired.
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the member for her question. First, as Premier, I accept responsibility for the actions of our Government, the actions of the commission of inquiry and all the failures, both past and present. I accept that responsibility and the importance, as such, of implementing the commission of inquiry's recommendations and more to ensure that we are nation leading. I have every confidence in minister Jaensch.
Dr Woodruff - On what basis? You said you would leave no stone unturned.
Mr SPEAKER - Order, Leader of the Greens.
Mr ROCKLIFF - I have every confidence in minister Jaensch, not only because I fully understand and know his capacity and compassion when it comes to the commission of inquiry recommendations -
Dr Woodruff - Compassion is irrelevant if you do not act.
Mr SPEAKER - Order, Leader of the Greens.
Mr ROCKLIFF - and education and related matters with children and young people more broadly. One of the areas that I know minister Jaensch has been working very hard and solidly at is the Youth Justice Blueprint which Mr Jaensch spoke about.
Dr Woodruff - Yesterday was absolutely appalling.
Mr SPEAKER - Leader of the Greens, if you interject on the Premier again I will ask you to leave.
Mr ROCKLIFF - This is an example of the stewardship that minister Jaensch has on his responsibilities and his dedication to reform in this important area. It sets out direction for Youth Justice in Tasmania over the course of the next 10 years. We have a very unique chance to transform the way we address youth offending, as an example, providing improved outcomes for children and young people and increasing community safety.
As the minister outlined, utilising a public health approach, the blueprint refocuses and strengthens supports for children, young people and their families through the implementation of an integrated service system that promotes wellbeing and reduced engagement in antisocial and youth offending behaviours. It is important to reform because, for those children and young people whose offending behaviour has escalated and involves a criminal justice response, the blueprint outlines an evidence-based, therapeutic criminal justice approach. That approach supports the young person to address the factors that led to their offending and preventing continued offending behaviours and ongoing involvement in the system.
The minister has enormous capacity and knowledge in these crucial areas - not only with his active interest in the subject matter at hand, but also the long involvement that he has had with these responsibilities under very difficult circumstances. He has not shied away from taking that responsibility and, as difficult as it is, to ensure that reform happens. The minister's focus now, of course, is the relevant areas of the more than 191 recommendations to implement.
As to your question, I have every confidence in the minister, Mr Jaensch and his ability to get the job done. I take responsibility for all the work of our ministers. There are many areas of responsibility and need that require action in and across government. As I have said to all my ministers, irrespective of whether they are directly involved in the commission of inquiry, the commission of inquiry recommendations are the number one game in town and the key priority of this Government.
