Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Justice spokesperson
Published last November, Damien Bugg QC’s independent review into the Public Trustee found the Trustee failed to correctly meet its duties for 26 years. Tasmanians on guardianship orders have had their rights and their assets stripped away from them by an entity that was established to look after their interests.
Mr Bugg’s independent review pointed to the Trustee at times fleecing Tasmanians when they’re at their most vulnerable. We asked the Attorney General where the government’s response to Mr Bugg’s damning review was up to in Question Time today.
We welcome the Attorney’s comments the Bugg review’s recommendations will be either wholly or partially accepted, and that long overdue draft legislation is being prepared.
We are pleased to hear the government is considering the matter of compensation. This is an urgent matter. All victims of the Trustee should be entitled to compensation, and appropriate mechanisms for this should be developed and made available as soon as possible.
We will wait to see the details of the government’s response to Mr Bugg’s review.
Justice for those Tasmanians who have been harmed by the operation of the Public Trustee is needed. We are hopeful the Attorney is does not allow any further delays to ensure justice is delivered, and to reform the Public Trustee so that it always works in the best interests of Tasmanians.