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Child Abuse
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New Out of Home Care Figures Appalling, Demand ActionThe Greens have extracted appalling new information from the Tasmanian Government showing that outcomes in out of home care continue to deteriorate Vica Bayley MP | Media Release | 8 Dec 2023 |
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Labor and Liberals Play Politics on Child Sexual AbuseIt was a matter of deep sadness today to watch the Labor Party vote for craven self-interest and support the Liberals' mandatory minimum sentencing laws Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Media Release | 14 Nov 2023 |
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Alarming Out of Home Care Figures Raise Urgent ConcernNew out of home care statistics released by the government in response to questioning from the Greens are alarming and raise urgent concerns for the safety of c Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Media Release | 2 Nov 2023 |
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Appalling Response from Minister on Out of Home CareRoger Jaensch has reached yet another low point with his response to Greens' questions about the safety of children in out of home care Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Media Release | 1 Nov 2023 |
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Mandatory Minimums Push a Predictable and Vile StuntThe Liberals’ new attempt to pass mandatory minimum sentencing legislation in Tasmania is as predictable as it is vile Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Media Release | 31 Oct 2023 |
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Disgraceful Jaensch Must GoPremier Jeremy Rockliff has no option but to remove Minister for Children Roger Jaensch from his role. Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Media Release | 18 Oct 2023 |
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Urgency Needed for Ashley ClosureThe Greens welcome the renewed calls from more than a dozen social service and justice organisations for the State Government to urgently close Ashley Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Media Release | 11 Oct 2023 |
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Reynolds Investigation Welcome But TOR InadequateThe Greens welcome the independent investigation into the Reynolds matter, but are concerned about its limited scope and powers Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Media Release | 6 Oct 2023 |
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Reynolds Matter Requires Standalone Independent Investigation With Full PowersThe Paul Reynolds matter requires a standalone and entirely independent investigation, conducted by someone from interstate, and with full powers. Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Media Release | 5 Oct 2023 |
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Greens Repeat Call for Independent Investigation into Tasmania PoliceThe Minister for Police must immediately announce an independent investigation into Tasmania Police's response to child sexual abuse allegations Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Media Release | 4 Oct 2023 |
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Government Focus Must Return to COI ResponseThe focus of Premier Jeremy Rockliff and his ministers must immediately return to responding to the urgent recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Media Release | 4 Oct 2023 |
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Independent Investigation Required into Reynolds Police MatterThe Minister for Police must immediately initiate an independent investigation into Tasmania Police’s conduct in relation to Senior Sergeant Paul Reynolds. Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Media Release | 29 Sep 2023 |
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Serious Ongoing Issues at Ashley Demand Recognition and ResponseThe failure of the State Government – in particular the Minister for Children – to recognise and urgently respond to ongoing human rights abuse at Ashley Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Media Release | 27 Sep 2023 |
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State Service Stand Downs Confirm Need for Reform and Investment NowThe 43 state servants who have been stood down points to the significant scale of the culture and harms that led to the establishment of the Commission of Inqui Cassy O'Connor MP | Media Release | 5 Jun 2023 |
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Rockliff Must Step in on Police Minister’s Politicisation of Child Sexual AbuseThe Liberal candidate for Rumney's cynical attempts to politicise what is one of the most significant bodies of reform Tasmania has seen is revolting Cassy O'Connor MP | Media Release | 1 May 2023 |
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Commission of Inquiry ExtensionThe Greens acknowledge and respect the Commission of Inquiry’s request to extend their reporting deadline. Cassy O'Connor MP | Media Release | 4 Apr 2023 |
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Recognising National Survivors' DayToday we recognise the pain and honour the courage of all survivors of sexual assault and institutional abuse. Cassy O'Connor MP | Media Release | 15 Nov 2022 |
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Apology to Victim and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual AbuseJoining us in Parliament, out on the lawns, over at Elizabeth St Pier & on screens across the country, are Tasmanians - victim survivors & people who love them. Cassy O'Connor MP | Parliamentary Activity | 8 Nov 2022 |
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Jaensch's Shameful SecrecyMinisterRoger Jaensch has refused to answer critical questions in Budget Estimates about staff who are stood down for child sexual abuse matters Cassy O'Connor MP | Media Release | 8 Jun 2022 |
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Liberals Vote Against Greens’ Push for Ferguson and Archer Apology… AgainNearly two weeks have passed since Ministers Archer and Ferguson groaned at the words of a victim survivor of child sexual abuse read out in the House. Cassy O'Connor MP | Media Release | 23 Mar 2022 |
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Department of Education - Responses to Child Sexual Abuse - Legal AdviceWhat advice did you receive that meant you could not release the same full redacted report that was released to the ABC? Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Parliamentary Activity | 11 Nov 2021 |
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Department of Education - Responses to Child Sexual Abuse - Release of Reportrofessors Smallbone and McCormack's full report of the inquiry points to a culture of cover up in the Department of Education. Cassy O'Connor MP | Parliamentary Activity | 11 Nov 2021 |
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Health - James GriffinIn budget Estimates last year we asked a number of questions about the James Geoffrey Griffin matter. Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Parliamentary Activity | 6 Sep 2021 |
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Griffin Management Review - Police Handling of Child Sex Abuse ClaimsClearly there has been a culture in at least parts of Tasmania Police where victims or witnesses reporting sexual abuse have not been taken seriously. Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Parliamentary Activity | 1 Sep 2021 |
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Ashley Youth Detention Centre - Allegations of AbuseIn January 2020, management of Ashley Youth Detention Centre were made aware of potential historical rape allegation. Cassy O'Connor MP | Parliamentary Activity | 25 Mar 2021 |
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Roger Jaensch: Hapless or Heartless?In Question Time today, we asked the Minister for Human Services, about two very serious allegations, relating to Ashley Youth Detention Centre. Cassy O'Connor MP | Media Release | 25 Mar 2021 |
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Justice Miscellaneous (Commissions of Inquiry) Bill 2021Behind this amendment bill is so much trauma. I think it is reasonable to say that as a state we have been failing children and young people for decades. Cassy O'Connor MP | Parliamentary Activity | 18 Mar 2021 |
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Tasmania Police - Child Sexual Abuse - James GriffinThe Tasmania Police internal review of police actions in relation to James Griffin is a catalogue of repeated failures. Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Parliamentary Activity | 2 Mar 2021 |
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Child Sexual Abuse - State Service Employees - AllegationsSo far 14 State Service employees have been stood down over allegations of child sexual abuse. Cassy O'Connor MP | Parliamentary Activity | 2 Mar 2021 |
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Griffin Police Review Reveals Tragedy of ErrorsThe review by Tasmania Police into the James Geoffrey Griffin investigation reveals a decade long failure to properly investigate serious allegations. Cassy O'Connor MP | Media Release | 26 Feb 2021 |
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Recommendation of President of Commission of InquiryThe Greens welcome the Gutwein Government’s recommendation of Marcia Neave AO as President of the Commission of Inquiry into child sexual abuse. Cassy O'Connor MP | Media Release | 29 Jan 2021 |
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Opacity Over Stood Down State Servants InexcusableYet another State Service employee has been stood down in the lead up to the Commission of Inquiry into child sexual abuse. Cassy O'Connor MP | Media Release | 27 Jan 2021 |
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TT-Line – Child SafetyFormer Launceston nurse and alleged paedophile James Griffin worked on the Spirit of Tasmania between October 2003 and January 2009. Cassy O'Connor MP | Parliamentary Activity | 8 Dec 2020 |
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Commission of Inquiry RecommendationsThis inquiry needs tri-partisan backing, so I strongly encourage you to work with Opposition and crossbench parties and members on the terms of reference. Cassy O'Connor MP | Parliamentary Activity | 3 Dec 2020 |
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Estimates Reply – Minister CourtneyThe purpose of our questions was to understand what the Minister for Health knew and when she knew it, and what the response of the department has been. Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Parliamentary Activity | 1 Dec 2020 |
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Estimates Reply – Minister JaenschA significant part of the Estimates with Mr Jaensch this year dealt with that terrible, unsafe place that is Ashley Youth Detention Centre. Cassy O'Connor MP | Parliamentary Activity | 1 Dec 2020 |
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LGH Child Abuse Claims - Actions of Police MinisterIt took three months after the initial complaint for James Griffin's Working with Vulnerable People registration to be revoked. Cassy O'Connor MP | Parliamentary Activity | 1 Dec 2020 |
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LGH Child Abuse Claims - Actions of MinisterAt that point, child exploitation material had been found at Mr Griffin's home, including what the Coroner described as 'self-generated images'. Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Parliamentary Activity | 1 Dec 2020 |
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LGH Child Abuse Claims - Police ProceduresIn July, whilst a CIB became aware that Mr Griffin was employed at the LGH and then at that point made steps to actually brief the hospital at the end of July. Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Parliamentary Activity | 1 Dec 2020 |
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Health – Commission of InquiryOnly a commission of inquiry can properly uncover what has happened and the systemic abuse, as well as the links between different departments. Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Parliamentary Activity | 23 Nov 2020 |
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Attorney-General and Justice – Commission of InquiryThe TLRI final report of September 2003 makes five recommendations for legislative amendment of the Commissions of Inquiry Act. Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Parliamentary Activity | 25 Nov 2020 |
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Police, Fire and Emergency Management - James GriffinThe ministers through Estimates this week have confirmed that Ms Courtney, the Minister for Health, first became aware on 31 July 2019. Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Parliamentary Activity | 26 Nov 2020 |
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Shelton Silent on Child Abuse AllegationsThe Police Minister's refusal to answer questions about his inaction in the James Geoffrey Griffin matter is a shameful abrogation of ministerial responsibility Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Media Release | 26 Nov 2020 |
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Human Services - Ashley Youth Detention CentreTwelve months ago, a member of staff at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre found records about the alleged rape in the mid 1990s. Cassy O'Connor MP | Parliamentary Activity | 25 Nov 2020 |
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Education – Sexual Abuse ClaimsJames Griffin had been working between 1986 and 1997 at UTAS as a maintenance officer. That was before he worked at the Launceston General Hospital. Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Parliamentary Activity | 24 Nov 2020 |
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Premier – Commission of InquiryWe are really only just beginning to scratch the surface of a much deeper wound as it relates to the treatment of children in some places in Tasmania. Cassy O'Connor MP | Parliamentary Activity | 23 Nov 2020 |
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Commission of Inquiry into Child Abuse in State InstitutionsThe announcement of a Commission of Inquiry into the sexual abuse of children and young people in the care of the State is both welcome and overdue. Cassy O'Connor MP | Media Release | 23 Nov 2020 |
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Safety of ChildrenThe investigation that the Government has established into what happened over an 18 year period in the paediatric ward at the LGH is manifestly inadequate. Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Parliamentary Activity | 19 Nov 2020 |
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Ashley Youth Detention Centre - Calls for ClosureThe Government ignored the advice in the independent expert Noetic report to close Ashley Youth Detention Centre. Cassy O'Connor MP | Parliamentary Activity | 19 Nov 2020 |
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Ashley Youth Detention Centre - Allegations Against Senior Staff MemberWe have information that a senior staff member at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre has recently been stood down. Cassy O'Connor MP | Parliamentary Activity | 19 Nov 2020 |
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Launceston General Hospital AllegationsWe are just starting to uncover some of the truly heinous things that happened over 18 years that man was on the children's ward at the LGH. Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Parliamentary Activity | 17 Nov 2020 |
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Commission of Inquiry Must Investigate LGH and Ashley Youth Detention CentreThe Liberals must do right by the children who are, and have been, in government care. Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Media Release | 11 Nov 2020 |
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Ashley Youth Detention Centre - Commission of Inquiry into Child Abuse ClaimsThe Government's independent investigation has limited terms of reference and focuses on the systems within the Tasmanian Health Service only. Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Parliamentary Activity | 11 Nov 2020 |
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Commission of Inquiry into LGH Abuse NeededThe allegations a child sex offender was working as a nurse on the paediatrics ward at the Launceston General Hospital for nearly 20 years are distressing. Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Media Release | 10 Nov 2020 |
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Greens Welcome Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse in State SchoolsThe Greens welcome the Deputy Premier and Education Minister’s announcement of an independent inquiry into child sexual abuse in state schools. Cassy O'Connor MP | Media Release | 27 Aug 2020 |
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Justice Legislation Amendment (Organisational Liability for Child Abuse) Bill 2019This bill is a response to the royal commission's Redress and Civil Litigation Report which came out at the end of 2017. Cassy O'Connor MP | Parliamentary Activity | 24 Sep 2019 |
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Out-of-Home Care Monitoring and OversightOut-of-home care in Tasmania remains recklessly unregulated five-and-a-half years after the Liberal Party took government. Cassy O'Connor MP | Parliamentary Activity | 29 Oct 2019 |
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Criminal Code and Related Legislation Amendment (Child Abuse) Bill 2018The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse shocked the nation. Cassy O'Connor MP | Parliamentary Activity | 30 Jul 2019 |
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National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse (Commonwealth Powers) Bill 2018Mr Deputy Speaker, it has been a long, traumatic and painful journey to this point. Cassy O'Connor MP | Parliamentary Activity | 28 Aug 2018 |
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Catholic Care FundingCatholic Care, according to its most recent annual report, received more than $7 million in government funding last year. Cassy O'Connor MP | Parliamentary Activity | 21 Jun 2018 |
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Mandatory Reporting of Offences of Child Sexual AbuseThe Catholic Church in Tasmania has vowed to defy law reform that would remove the protections on the confessional. Cassy O'Connor MP | Parliamentary Activity | 21 Jun 2018 |
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Royal Commission - National Redress SchemeRecommendation 88 of the final report of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse was that. Cassy O'Connor MP | Parliamentary Activity | 22 May 2018 |
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Liberals Must Listen to Survivors and Church Leaders and Commit to National Redress SchemeWhile the Liberals drag their heels, Tasmania church leaders have joined forces to call for the State to join the National Child Abuse Redress Scheme. Cassy O'Connor MP | Media Release | 13 Apr 2018 |
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Greens Commit to Redress Scheme for Victims of Institutional Child AbuseThe Greens are committed to funding the State's contribution to the scheme, estimated at $13 million over the next decade. Cassy O'Connor MP | Media Release | 9 Feb 2018 |
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Hodgman Must Commit Tasmania to National Redress SchemeThe Turnbull Government today introduced legislation to establish a Commonwealth civil redress scheme for survivors of past abuse in institutional settings. Cassy O'Connor MP | Media Release | 26 Oct 2017 |
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Hodgman Government Failing Survivors of Past Childhood Sexual AbuseAll States and Territories are expected to commit funding yet there is no allocation in this coming, or any subsequent State Budget year, towards the Scheme. Cassy O'Connor MP | Media Release | 4 Jun 2017 |
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Federal Budget Funds Sexual Abuse Redress Scheme, State Must FollowWe hope the Hodgman Liberals will follow their Canberra colleagues’ lead and provide redress funding in the State Budget. Cassy O'Connor MP | Media Release | 10 May 2017 |
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State Support For National Redress Program NeededA national redress scheme for victims of institutionalised sexual abuse was a key recommendation of the Royal Commission. Cassy O'Connor MP | Media Release | 9 May 2016 |