Dr WOODRUFF question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
The efforts of victims/survivors, whistleblowers and families to bring their painful truth to the commission of inquiry have been remarkable. Throughout, they have trusted that reliving their trauma and exposing their darkest moments to the world would make a difference. Right now, there are some serious concerns about what could happen next. Your Government is the subject of many matters covered by the inquiry, and it will also make final decisions about what should be omitted from the report.
With government secrecy consistently featuring as a key problem through the inquiry, the unaccountable nature of Cabinet decision-making does not fill people with confidence. Recent comments by the Deputy Premier and minister for Children have heightened people's anxieties. It is untrue or ignorant to imply the Governor has the power to overturn Cabinet's decisions about omissions from the commission's report if she disagrees with them. To regain community confidence -
Mr SPEAKER - Dr Woodruff, your time has expired.
Dr WOODRUFF - will you commit to seeking advice from the commission of inquiry about a process for making omissions from their report which ensures public trust in the decisions taken?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank Dr Woodruff for her question. This is a very serious matter. The Government established the commission of inquiry to bring to light past mistakes and failings. As I have said many times both within and outside the parliament, we collectively - past and present governments - have failed children and young people, which is why we made the historic apology last year.
We fully understand the anxiousness, anticipation, anxiety and deep concern of victims and survivors, their families and young ones and loved ones, and the importance of the commission of inquiry's findings to be delivered on 31 August. Our Government understands that there are many members across our community who are waiting for the final report of the commission of inquiry.
Last week in my ministerial statement, I laid out very clearly and openly the process leading up to 31 August, and then the final response from government in December this year to ensure that victims and survivors are fully aware and prepared for the months ahead. We will also ensure, as we have ensured throughout the commission of inquiry process and in particular the day leading up to the formal apology and the day of the formal apology and further to that, the support on offer for victims and survivors and their families and loved ones. That is also very much at the forefront of my mind.
I fully understand the concerns expressed around omissions that may be made to the report before it is made public. It is time to shine a light onto this dark chapter and I want to ensure that victims and survivors have confidence in the process moving forward. To be clear, the Government does not hold the pen on this report. It is our expectation that the commission will identify any parts of this report that will cause harm and enable the Governor to make those omissions.
A key reason why information might be omitted is where publishing it might affect the integrity of any criminal or civil legal proceedings connected with the commission of inquiry. I am sure you can appreciate that, Dr Woodruff.
Dr Woodruff - Absolutely. I want to make sure there will not be anything in addition to that.
Mr ROCKLIFF - Any omissions must be clearly marked on the tabled version of the report. In the interests of maintaining public confidence, it is our expectation that there is also an indication as to why there is an omission as well.
It is the courage and bravery of victims and survivors in sharing their lived experience with the commission that we expect will underpin the commission's work. It is important that we respect their wishes and choices and that they include not being identified as well. We must ensure integrity in the process and ensure we bring along victims/survivors and their families and loved ones as we progress through this important matter.
Mr SPEAKER - Premier, your time has expired.
