Labor has welcomed the announcement of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate allegations of child sexual abuse potentially reaching across multiple areas of the government's responsibility.
Labor Leader Rebecca White said the Premier's belated recognition that an inquiry with sufficiently strong powers is needed has only come after significant public pressure.
"What's been revealed over recent weeks is a series of horrific allegations that children were sexually abused in multiple settings.
"In addition to investigation of allegations involving former Launceston General Hospital nurse James Geoffrey Griffin, serious allegations have been made involving government schools and the Ashley Youth Detention Centre.
"Given the complexity of the matters involved, it's important that an inquiry has the power to compel all necessary evidence across multiple government agencies.
"The community must have confidence that there will be changes made to systems and processes to ensure something like this can never happen again. That's why a Commission of Inquiry is needed."
Ms White said the government had been intensely lobbied to establish a Commission of Inquiry and - while belated - today's announcement is welcome.
"This is the response needed by children, parents and staff of these government agencies, and they should not have had to wait this long.
"They have lost confidence in the system and need to have absolute faith that an inquiry will have the rigour necessary to identify failings in the system and set them right.
"No stone must be left unturned in seeking the truth."
Rebecca White
Labor Leader
