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Commission of Inquiry


Police Officers in High Visibility Vests

Independent Investigation Required into Reynolds Police Matter

The 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


House of Assembly, Tasmania

Commission of Inquiry Report

This interpretation made it difficult, and in some cases impossible for us to make findings we might otherwise have made.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  28 Sep 2023


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Ashley Youth Detention Centre - Accountability

Yesterday, we heard minister Jaensch describe the previous commitment of past premier Gutwein to close Ashley in 2024 as a 'political decision'. 

Vica Bayley MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  28 Sep 2023


Parliament House, Tasmania

Commission of Inquiry Report - Independent Review

I want to thank the Leader of the Opposition for bringing this motion on today and I can confirm that we will be strongly supporting the independent review.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  28 Sep 2023


Bureaucracy, Professional with Paperwork

Commission of Inquiry Report - Scrutiny of Government Response

For change to be successful, it needs to not only be done, but it needs to be seen to be done. 

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  28 Sep 2023


House of Assembly, Tasmania

Commission of Inquiry Response

It is a monumental piece of work that has been done by the commission of inquiry.

Vica Bayley MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  28 Sep 2023


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Commission of Inquiry Response

Mr Speaker, I move - That the House take note of the following matter: commission of inquiry response.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  28 Sep 2023


Parliament House, Tasmania

Investigations into State Service Employees

Your response to my previous question was confounding.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  28 Sep 2023


Bureaucracy, Professional with Paperwork

Actions of Former Secretary of Department of Health and Human Services

It is crucial to see accountability for people in positions of power who failed to protect children and whose actions led to further harm.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  28 Sep 2023


Parliament House, Tasmania

Greens Secure Scrutiny for COI Response

The Greens are pleased to have successfully secured an additional parliamentary sitting to scrutinise the Government’s response to the Commission of Inquiry

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  28 Sep 2023


Parliament House, Tasmania

Commission of Inquiry Report

I also take the opportunity to acknowledge the commissioners and their support staff and administrative staff.

Vica Bayley MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  27 Sep 2023


Bureaucracy, Professional with Paperwork

Commission of Inquiry Report - Culture of Secrecy

I will continue with my comments about the commission of inquiry and talk about this Government's culture of secrecy.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  27 Sep 2023


House of Assembly, Tasmania

Commission of Inquiry Report

Mr Speaker, I recognise the victims/survivors and advocates who are in the Chamber or who are watching online.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  27 Sep 2023


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Youth Justice Facilities - Remand and Detention

The proposed youth justice facilities model released last year indicates that the detention facility will also be for remand.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  27 Sep 2023


Child, Shadow

Serious Ongoing Issues at Ashley Demand Recognition and Response

The 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


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government's Response to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings

Mr Speaker, I want to acknowledge the victims/survivors and their families who are present today and watching online.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  26 Sep 2023


House of Assembly, Tasmania

Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government's Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings - Parliamentary Scrutiny

Individual members are not responsible for resourcing the recommendations or drafting the laws that are required; it is you and your Government who are.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  26 Sep 2023


Parliament House, Tasmania

Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government's Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings - Parliamentary Scrutiny

Victims/survivors have waited years for this day and have huge anxiety about the report that is about to be tabled.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  26 Sep 2023


Parliament House, Tasmania

Parliamentary Scrutiny Required for COI Response

Its crucial an extra sitting week is added to the Parliamentary calendar to ensure the government's response receives the scrutiny it demands

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  26 Sep 2023


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Ashley Youth Detention Centre

Despite your minister's claims, Ashley Youth Detention Centre continues to be a source of trauma and devastation for the young people sent there.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  5 Sep 2023


Child, Shadow

Commission of Inquiry Draws to a Close

Today was the closing session of the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  30 Aug 2023


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Commission of Inquiry - Process for Making Omissions

The efforts of victims/survivors, whistleblowers and families to bring their painful truth to the commission of inquiry have been remarkable.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  15 Aug 2023


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Reply to Ministerial Statement - Commission of Inquiry

Unfortunately, the culture of secrecy that allowed these atrocious acts to occur is yet to be addressed in society and the halls of power.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  10 Aug 2023


Law Books

Commission of Inquiry - A Voice for the Vulnerable

Today, Parliament welcomed an update from the Premier on the long awaited release of the report from the Commission of Inquiry

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  10 Aug 2023


Parliament House, Tasmania

Estimates Reply – Jaensch

We asked about the number of stand downs in relation to historical or contemporary child sex abuse allegations and ED5 investigations.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  22 Jun 2023


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Estimates Reply – Archer

I have a few comments on Ms Archer's portfolios. We had a thorough airing of a lot of issues and that was a useful conversation.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  21 Jun 2023


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Education, Children and Young People – Commission of Inquiry

Are you able to tell the committee how many state servants from within the education system are captured within those numbers?

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  7 Jun 2023


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Attorney-General and Justice – Commission of Inquiry

The commission of inquiry will hand down its report in August and it is anticipated to have wide reaching recommendations.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  5 Jun 2023


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Premier – Commission of Inquiry

We have the DPAC updated disclosure log as at Friday, which shows that now 43 state servants have been suspended.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  5 Jun 2023


Child, Shadow

State Service Stand Downs Confirm Need for Reform and Investment Now

The 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


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Commission of Inquiry Extension

The Greens acknowledge and respect the Commission of Inquiry’s request to extend their reporting deadline.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  4 Apr 2023


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Draft Youth Justice Blueprint a Good Plan, But no Immediate Solution

While the draft plan represents a major shift for youth justice and lays out the steps forward, it doesn’t solve Tasmania’s current youth justice failings.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  22 Nov 2022


Child, Shadow

Recognising National Survivors' Day

Today 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


House of Assembly, Tasmania

Apology to Victim and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse

Joining 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


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Commission of Inquiry - Launceston General Hospital - Complaint reported to Tasmania Police

Last sitting we asked you about senior managers who made admissions at the commission of inquiry yet remain in their roles.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  18 Oct 2022


Justice, Scales and Gavel

LGH - Responses to Commission of Inquiry

Yesterday we asked what action you have taken about the shocking failures of multiple LGH managers in relation to child sex abuse.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  28 Sep 2022


Launceston, Tasmania

Commission of Inquiry - Launceston General Hospital Staff

The commission of inquiry has heard harrowing testimony of how children were harmed at the Launceston General Hospital and other institutions.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  27 Sep 2022


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Ashley Youth Detention Centre - Response to Commission of Inquiry

Many of the kids ending up in Ashley have trauma, complex mental health issues, disability.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  6 Sep 2022


Child, Shadow

National Child Protection Week

With the backdrop of the Commission of Inquiry, this National Child Protection Week is a particularly sombre one in Tasmania

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  5 Sep 2022


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Ashley Youth Detention Centre

We have been concerned this week and have questioned the minister about the time line for the closure. It is meant to be in two years time.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  25 Aug 2022


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Ashley Youth Detention Centre

There are multiple grave allegations about current staff that got a 'business as usual' response from the former Department of Communities.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  25 Aug 2022


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Ashley Youth Detention Centre - Closure

The National Children's Commissioner has joined Amnesty and UNICEF in calling for Ashley's immediate closure.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  24 Aug 2022


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Ashley Youth Detention Centre - Alternative Sites

While Amnesty International and UNICEF Australia are calling for Ashley to close immediately, we are worried you have been dithering again.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  23 Aug 2022


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Ashley Youth Detention Centre - Closure

The commission of inquiry has heard harrowing evidence of extreme violence towards and sexual assault of children at Ashley Youth Detention Centre.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  23 Aug 2022


House of Assembly, Tasmania

Where are Labor as Tasmania is in Crisis?

The role of an opposition is to hold government to account on critical matters of public interest. That is not the case in Tasmania’s Parliament.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  23 Aug 2022


Lonely Child

Liberals Fail to Reassure Tasmanians on Ashley Closure

The Rockliff Government, particularly Minister Roger Jaensch, have been dragging their collective heels on closing the Ashley Youth Detention Centre for a year.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  23 Aug 2022


Law Books

Ministerial Statement – Commission of Inquiry Interim Response

This is a very significant statement from the Premier that wraps up a number of necessary and, in a number of cases, long overdue reforms.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  16 Aug 2022


Happy Children, Playing with Parents

Estimates Reply - Jaensch

We started our questioning of Minister Jaensch around evidence that was given to the commission of inquiry.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  16 Jun 2022


House of Assembly, Tasmania

Estimates Reply – Rockliff

The Greens started off our Estimates session with the Premier talking about the commission of inquiry.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  14 Jun 2022


Bureaucracy, Professional with Paperwork

Children, Education and Youth – ED5 Investigations

How many staff at Ashley Youth Detention Centre have been stood down or had their position terminated?

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  8 Jun 2022


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Children, Education and Youth – Commission of Inquiry

Minister, I want to talk to you about some evidence that was given to the commission of inquiry by Sonya Enkelmann.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  8 Jun 2022


Legislation, Clause Being Highlighted

Attorney-General and Justice – Right to Information

The commission of inquiry heard a range of evidence about the failure for people to easily be able to get information through the Right to Information.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  6 Jun 2022


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Attorney-General and Justice – Commission of Inquiry

Ms Webster's evidence your department would not be embedding child safety principles at the leadership level.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  6 Jun 2022


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Premier – Commission of Inquiry

The Secretary of Communities Tasmania, Ms Webster, responded to a question and said that the 'Child Safe Standards Framework would take three years to deliver.'

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  6 Jun 2022


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Ministerial Statement – Response to Commission of Inquiry

The statement made by Premier Rockliff is exactly what victims/survivors of child sexual abuse in Tasmania needed to hear.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  24 May 2022


House of Assembly, Tasmania

Victim Survivor - Call for Apology

Minister, you were clearly heard groaning whilst sitting there, while the words of victim/survivor Tiffany Skeggs were read into the House.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  22 Mar 2022


Legislation, Clause Being Highlighted

Department of Education - Responses to Child Sexual Abuse - Legal Advice

What 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


Bureaucracy, Professional with Paperwork

Department of Education - Responses to Child Sexual Abuse - Release of Report

rofessors 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


Empty Classroom

Child Safety

This report, which has only been released through right to information, is deeply confronting reading.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  10 Nov 2021


Empty Classroom

Student Safeguards Must be in Place by New School Year

Tasmanian parents need greater reassurance that their children are safe in the state’s public school system.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  10 Nov 2021


Bureaucracy, Professional with Paperwork

Department of Education - Responses to Child Sexual Abuse

The report of the inquiry reveals a culture of cover-up within the Department of Education that persists to this day.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  10 Nov 2021


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Department of Education - Responses to Child Sexual Abuse

The full report for the inquiry into sexual abuse in the State public public school system was received by the department nearly five months ago.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  10 Nov 2021


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Tasmanian Commission of Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse - Implementation of Key Recommendations

Limited progress has been made on the introduction of a reportable conduct scheme.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  27 Oct 2021


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Child Safety

There is something deeply wrong with the child safety system here and the way it is being administered.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  26 Oct 2021


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Attorney-General and Justice - Commission of Inquiry

The Budget provides $1.6 million for the Commission of Inquiry Response Unit, you have just called that CARCRU, is that right?

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  8 Sep 2021


Law Books

Education - Commission of Inquiry

Minister, the commission of inquiry is underway and I would like to hear what actions the department has put in place now.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  7 Sep 2021


Bureaucracy, Professional with Paperwork

Griffin Management Review - Police Handling of Child Sex Abuse Claims

Clearly 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


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Ashley Youth Detention Centre - Allegations of Abuse

In 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


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Justice Miscellaneous (Commissions of Inquiry) Bill 2021

Behind 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


Police Officers in High Visibility Vests

Tasmania Police - Child Sexual Abuse - James Griffin

The 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


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Child Sexual Abuse - State Service Employees - Allegations

So far 14 State Service employees have been stood down over allegations of child sexual abuse.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  2 Mar 2021


Police Officers in High Visibility Vests

Griffin Police Review Reveals Tragedy of Errors

The 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


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Recommendation of President of Commission of Inquiry

The 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


Lonely Child

Opacity Over Stood Down State Servants Inexcusable

Yet 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


Justice, Scales and Gavel

TT-Line – Child Safety

Former 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


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Commission of Inquiry Recommendations

This 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


Greyhound, Lying Down

Estimates Reply - Minister Howlett

Again this year we focused on the two major codes which are horseracing and greyhounds.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  2 Dec 2020


Police Officers in High Visibility Vests

Estimates Reply - Minister Shelton

Although Tasmania Police had commenced an investigation, and it took almost three months for the Working with Vulnerable People card to be revoked.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  2 Dec 2020


Royal Hobart Hospital, Emergency Department Entrance

Estimates Reply – Minister Courtney

The 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


Prison, Barbed-Wire Fence

Estimates Reply – Minister Jaensch

A 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


Parliament House, Tasmania

Estimates Reply - Premier Gutwein

It is a gutsy move to establish a commission of inquiry, particularly for a Government that has a streak of control-freakery about it.

Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  1 Dec 2020


House of Assembly, Tasmania

LGH Child Abuse Claims - Actions of Police Minister

It 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


Parliament House, Tasmania

LGH Child Abuse Claims - Actions of Minister

At 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


Police Officers in High Visibility Vests

LGH Child Abuse Claims - Police Procedures

In 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


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Shelton Must Review Police Procedures on Child Abuse Investigations

Police Minister, Mark Shelton refused to acknowledge police policies or procedures should be reviewed and changed. 

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  1 Dec 2020


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Health – Commission of Inquiry

Only 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


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Attorney-General and Justice – Commission of Inquiry

The 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


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Premier – Commission of Inquiry

We 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


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Commission of Inquiry into Child Abuse in State Institutions

The 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


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Commission of Inquiry Must Investigate LGH and Ashley Youth Detention Centre

The Liberals must do right by the children who are, and have been, in government care.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Media Release  |  11 Nov 2020


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Ashley Youth Detention Centre - Commission of Inquiry into Child Abuse Claims

The 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


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Commission of Inquiry into LGH Abuse Needed

The 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


Justice, Scales and Gavel

Launceston General Hospital - Commission of Inquiry into Child Abuse Claims

The independent investigation into claims of sexual abuse at the Launceston General Hospital has limited terms of reference.

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Parliamentary Activity  |  10 Nov 2020