Today's Public Trustee GBE hearing was full of spin and bluff, with scant regard shown for the reality of what people they are meant to be caring for are routinely put through.
Shadow Attorney-General Ella Haddad said results of the review into the Trustee had confirmed what Tasmanians already knew and that is for decades the Public Trustee has been failing them.
"We hear harrowing stories every day through our offices and that have come to light in the media. Many more have been revealed through the review," Ms Haddad.
"Mr Bugg was clear in his findings - for 26 years, the Public Trustee has genuinely misunderstood their duties as an administrator under the Act.
"Today, when the committee asked for straight forward information on processes – things like record keeping and communication and support for clients, they were dismissively told there are policies in place and clients can check websites.
"Clearly any policies have been routinely ignored for years. With many of the recommendations of the review being put back on the Public Trustee to self-implement, how can Tasmanians have any confidence things will improve?"
Ms Haddad said Attorney-General Elise Archer told the committee she will carefully consider the recommendations and seek funding in next year's budget, however that is way too late.
"If the Attorney is serious about making real change she needs to find immediate emergency funding.
"The way representatives spoke in estimates today was deeply disrespectful to clients. With all that has come to light recently and in the review, they knew the amount of scrutiny they would be under, yet they turned up to the hearings today without answers.
"The Attorney-General continues to express her confidence in the board and the organisation to change, but this is very worrying given everything that has come to light."
Ella Haddad MP
Shadow Attorney-General
