Elise Archer,Attorney-General
The Tasmanian Government's absolute priority is to ensure the safety and protection of children, and we are working to make sure our Government systems are doing just that.
I am pleased to announce that the Government will recommend to Her Excellency, Professor the Honourable Kate Warner AC, the appointment of the Honourable Marcia Neave AO, as President of the Commission of Inquiry into the Responses of Tasmanian Government Institutions to Child Sexual Abuse.
Ms Neave brings with her an incredible wealth of experience built over an outstanding career as a judge, lawyer, academic and public policy maker.
From February 2015 to March 2016, Ms Neave was the chair of the Royal Commission into Family Violence in Victoria. That Royal Commission was entrusted with the task of making recommendations regarding the family violence support system and justice system in Victoria, including government and non-government organisations, courts, police, corrections and child protection.
Prior to her role as Commissioner, the former legal academic was Justice of the Court of Appeal at the Supreme Court of Victoria, and has previously held chair at several Universities around the country.
In 2006, Ms Neave became the first academic in Victoria's history to be appointed to the Court of Appeal, and in the Queen's Birthday Honours of 1999, Ms Neave was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for her services to the law, and in 2001 she was awarded the Centenary Medal.
In 2001 Ms Neave became the Foundation Chair of the Victorian Law Reform Commission. This enabled her to play a key role in modernising Victorian law, including recommending changes that addressed some of the systemic disadvantages faced by women and children within the legal system, in particular, victims of domestic and sexual offences.
Today's announcement follows the release of the draft Terms of Reference on 17 December 2020.
The draft Terms of Reference give the Commission of Inquiry the power to take any action it deems appropriate in order to conduct its Inquiry. This includes the need to establish investigation units.
It is expected that approximately 20 full time equivalent positions, including additional Commissioners, will be required to support Ms Neave. This will now occur in consultation with Ms Neave.
To contact the Commission of Inquiry, view the draft Terms of Reference, or make a submission, please visit www.justice.tas.gov.au/inquiry .
This is an important day for Tasmania and I would like to thank Ms Neave for agreeing to lead this important Commission of Inquiry.
