Dr WOODRUFF question to MINISTER for HEALTH, Mr ROCKLIFF
Last sitting we asked you about senior managers who made admissions at the commission of inquiry yet remain in their roles. You cited provisions within the Commission of Inquiry Act as your reasons for not pursuing individuals for their behaviour that may have contributed to the abuse of children or its cover up. One of those people was the Director of Medical Services at the Launceston General Hospital.
We understand your secretary has received a complaint from Tasmania Police about Dr Renshaw’s behaviour that was not within the remit of the commission of inquiry but reflected similar conduct. Will you advise the House what action has been taken on this matter? Will you acknowledge cultural change cannot occur if intentional misconduct in relation to child sex abuse is dismissed as a mistake of the past, without any real and strong consequences?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the member for her question. Our Government knows that nothing is more important than safeguarding our children. We have made very clear, both in the lead up to and throughout the hearings, that we are committed to accepting and implementing the recommendations of the commission of inquiry.
The evidence heard during the commission of inquiry hearings was distressing and highlighted the need for significant structural and cultural change to better protect the safety of children and young people, especially at the Launceston General Hospital. I understand that it has been very challenging for our Tasmanian community to hear the evidence presented at the commission of inquiry and challenging for all Tasmanians, including all of us within this Chamber.
After the initial hearings in early July, we acted immediately to announce the Child Safe Governance Review into the LGH and human resources with a specific focus on the handling of serious misconduct such as institutional child sexual abuse. The review is driving immediate change and, through its regular meetings, the Governance Advisory Panel has determined that a dedicated focus on reforming the senior executive leadership structure of the LGH is urgently needed to drive the implementation of critical child safety reforms.
On behalf of the Governance Advisory Panel, the panel co-chairs Adjunct Professor Debora Picone, AO, and Adjunct Professor Karen Crawshaw, PSM, have made interim recommendations to the Department of Health secretary which have been accepted and are being actioned as a priority.
On 30 September, the department announced that the immediate changes to the LGH governance structure will include: establishing a new chief executive Hospitals North position, together with a new chief executive Hospitals North-West position, to replace the existing joint chief executive position; changing the title of the executive director of nursing to the executive director nursing and midwifery to properly reflect the professional accountabilities of the role; moving the director of allied health –
Dr WOODRUFF – Point of order, Mr Speaker, I am listening very carefully to the Premier’s response. It goes no way to the question I asked. It is specifically about a complaint received by the secretary. We want to know whether the matter is being acted on or what he is doing.
Mr SPEAKER – The Premier heard the question. Your point of order is relevance. Again, I can only remind of standing order 45 and to be relevant to the question. I am sure he will make those connections without intervention or interjections by members.
Mr ROCKLIFF – changing the title of the executive director of nursing to the executive director nursing and midwifery to properly reflect the professional accountabilities of the role; moving the director of allied health to the second tier of the LGH executive structure; and establishing a new permanent deputy executive director of medical services position at the LGH, with an expression of interest process underway for an acting opportunity while a recruitment process is completed.
Further, as a result of the recommendations, a number of practical actions will be implemented to establish a dedicated LGH child safety unit to support education and referral processes for mandatory reporting; clarify which key LGH executive management position will have ongoing responsibility for child safeguarding; and develop a simple flow chart outlining the process for LGH to report child safety concerns.
Additionally, based on the recommendations, we will establish new child safety officer positions in each of the four major public hospitals across the state to support implementation of the department’s child safety and wellbeing framework.
We are acting now and working to immediately implement the recommendations made on behalf of the Governance Advisory Panel by its two co chairs. It is important that we act with sensitivity and with regard to due process, recognising the need to comply with the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1995 and the need to maintain confidentiality. It is not appropriate for me to comment on specific cases, allegations or positions.
